Fall Tourism Brochures Are Here!
Hilltown Community Development Corporation Launches Business Development Campaign with Revamped Directory and Fall Tourism Brochure
Chesterfield, MA – The Hilltown Community Development Corporation has launched a new business promotion program including the region’s first tourism campaign. Responding to the results of a survey of over 170 Hilltown’s business, the former print Hilltown Directory has been shifted into an online initiative (hilltowndirectory.com) that now contains content about how to live, work and travel within the Hilltowns.The Hilltowns of Western Massachusetts now has its own logo as the first step in the branding of the region.
Twenty-thousand copies of the Hilltowns Fall 2022 Daytrips brochure are being distributed in the Pioneer Valley, The Berkshires and at public places and businesses within the Hilltowns. A paid Facebook initiative launches this week to draw those from the surrounding areas to the Hilltowns for the perfect, yet close, fall escape.The Hilltown Directory is posting a Business of the Day feature on Facebook and Instagram to further draw attention to the opportunities and business owners within the region.
“We’ve been working on more sustainable and useful ways to promote local business and the region and after conducting a survey where we tested several ideas, we made a bold digital move,” says Hilltown CDC Director Dave Christopolis. “Now that broadband and cell services are available throughout the Hilltowns an easily searchable and updateable directory online just makes sense. Service businesses were especially hard hit during the pandemic and we need to show a broader audience that we are open for business, distinct and amazing to visit.”
While the Hilltown Directory was online before, it has now been redesigned, categorized for ease of use, optimized for search engines and features articles designed to promote the unique history, culture, rural character and business opportunities of the region. Bold photos of the region’s attractions and businesses are featured throughout. Most are taken and submitted by Hilltowns residents, such as the current cover image of Rte 20 and the National Park Service designated Wild & Scenic Westfield River in fall.
“The Fall Brochure has been a big success in terms of advertiser support,” says Christopolis. “We have 55 businesses and attractions listed. The map gives people a sense of the region and what to do in an easily digestible form. The listings make it easy for everyone from moms to couples, kayakers to hikers and apple pickers, to plan a day or a weekend in our amazing region. When we relaunched the website just after Labor Day, the traffic shot up to six times its daily norm. We know those numbers will just continue to build through peak fall tourism season as our paid social media initiative kicks in. Many of our Business of the Day posts have been getting over 1000 people looking at them.”
The Fall 2022 Daytrips brochure will be available throughout October. Other brochures will be produced through the fall and into next year. Business Services will launch in November, Health & Wellness for the New Year, and Home, Pet, Auto in February for spring remodeling season. Summer Daytrips will be available starting in April. The closing date for inclusion in one brochure and a year-long listing in the directory is October 15, 2022, and the fee is $100.
Businesses interested in getting involved are encouraged to look at the advertising opportunities at hilltowndirectory.com/adopportunities. For more information, or to get copies of the Fall Daytrips brochure, contact Advertising Director Joan Griswold at joang@hilltowncdc.org or 413-296-4536x102.
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About the Hilltown Directory
The Hilltown Community Development Corporation is a private non-profit organization that seeks to improve the quality of life for Hilltown residents by addressing economic, housing, education, social and community needs while preserving the rural character of the area.