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Washington Evening Journal
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Visit Fairfield moves into new office
FAIRFIELD – Visit Fairfield Convention & Visitors Bureau has moved into a new home across the street from its former office in the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center.
The visitors bureau’s new home is 107 N. Main St., which was previously home to a dog grooming business and a tea lounge before that.
Visit Fairfield Executive Director Terry Baker said the new home gives the visitors bureau more space and greater visibility. It was previously on the second floor of the arts center, and its board meetings were held in the arts center’s conference room on the first floor. Now, the visitors bureau has its own conference room, reception area, sitting area and plenty of space for brochures, educational materials and a growing assortment of Fairfield merchandise such as T-shirts, caps and mugs.
To celebrate the bureau’s new home, it will host an open house for the public from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, May 11. The theme of the open house is “Colors of Tourism,” which will celebrate the “diversity of our community and highlight the experiences that make Fairfield such a special place,” Baker said.
Baker said she misses rubbing shoulders with the staff at the arts center now that she’s by herself in the new location.
“I miss hearing from them, and I loved that office, but we outgrew it,” Baker said.
Baker is looking forward to hosting events at the new location, such as being a part of Fairfield First Fridays Art Walk, and doing tourism themed Lunch and Learns. Baker said she’s already started promoting local art in the new office by displaying artwork from Joanie McGinnis.
“Art is such an important part of Fairfield’s story,” she said.
TOURISM
Visit Fairfield Convention & Visitors Bureau’s mission is to promote Fairfield through marketing, community outreach, events, and projects. Baker said they are all centered on presenting and developing Fairfield as a destination, attracting people to the area, and positively impacting the community.
"What makes Visit Fairfield CVB unique from other community organizations is its ability to connect leisure, business, and group travelers to Fairfield's story," she said.
Fairfield’s many tourism amenities and partners such as local retailers, restaurants, entertainment venues, recreation, and lodging are essential parts of the local tourism product and the relationship between these businesses and the work of Visit Fairfield is symbiotic.
When asked about the impact of tourism on her business, Shelbee Richards, co-owner of Willow & Bright Clothing Boutique, commented “Visit Fairfield CVB is essential to our small business.”
Richards points out that “Willow & Bright Boutique thrives when we have events that draw outsiders to Fairfield. When there is an increase in tourism there is an increase in foot traffic, diversification, seasonal spikes in sales, and gaining exposure to new customers. We know our small business cannot rely only on local customers.”
Danae Drish, owner of Big Acai Fairfield, commented that she loves having her business as part of the Comfort Food Trail, organized by Visit Fairfield.
“Visit Fairfield continually helps bring new people, visitors and locals into our store,” she said.
Carnegie Museum Curator Jake Schmidt noted that Visit Fairfield was directly involved in helping the museum increase visitor traffic from 300 a year to 3,000 a year.
Visit Fairfield takes a wholistic approach to tourism, using their resources to promote the town as an attractive destination. Research and data collection are used to ensure that the right message is delivered to the right audience. Our campaigns focus on the things people are looking for in a destination such as outdoor play space, interesting attractions, delicious food and beverage options, and of course that unmistakable Fairfield Vibe.
Some of Visit Fairfield projects over the last year include:
•Creating features for magazines like Travel Taste and Tour, ROVA, Midwest living, Food & Travel magazine
•Local promotions and incentives through “Loved by Locals” and Comfort Food Trail” passport program
•Creation and publication of the “Vibe Guide”, restaurant Guide, Christmas guide, Biking Guide
•Development and maintenance of robust website of events and activities
•Coordinating visits with Midwest travel writers.
•Coordinating group travel to the area
•Shop & Be Merry Holiday shopping event
Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com
