tors come to Oswego and have no idea where to eat or what to see. This is a perfect opportunity for advisory board to engage with our tourists and find out what they like and suggest what may best suit them and their family’s needs while they visit Oswego. The advisory board has also produced event cards for the city that showcase events that we feel can bring in people from the outside area. We as a board are going to continue to expand on what has already been done and increase our visibility. Q: What are your goals for the organization during your tenure? A: Increasing our ideas of how to promote the city of Oswego. We have two groups to focus on: the people who live here and the people who travel many miles to visit and tour our city. Finding the best ways to increase our visibility will not only help impact our businesses, but hopefully continue to increase the number of people who want to live, work and raise their families here.
Meet Oswego’s New Head of Tourism Advisory Board Danielle Hayden, formerly with the OswegoFulton Chamber of Commerce, talks about her plans as the newly appointed head of Oswego’s promotion and tourism advisory board
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swego Mayor Billy Barlow has recently chosen Danielle Hayden from the Oswego County Federal Credit Union as the next chairwoman of the city’s promotion and tourism advisory board. The board, which was created in 2014, guides city leaders on how to increase visitors and its presence in the region. Q: What experience do you bring to the City of Oswego Promotion and Tourism Advisory Board? A: My work experience in the last 14 years, which has included the Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce, the American Red Cross and now Oswego County Federal Credit Union, has allowed me to consistently work and build relationships within our community. I 44
have been involved in planning many city events that have brought locals and outsiders together to enjoy what our city has to offer. I will take that experience and knowledge with me to Promotion and Tourism Advisory Board and continue building on ways to promote Oswego and all we have to offer. Q: Mayor Billy Barlow said you will bring new ideas and a different approach to the board. What is the organization doing right and what could it be doing better? A: The board has been working very hard the last couple of years to build on how to bring in more tourism and promote the city of Oswego. They have established a city tent that has been very visible at many events and festivals that are held here. So many times visiOSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
Q: What’s on your agenda for the board over the next year? A: We want to continue marketing our city the best we can and show off all the wonderful things we have in Oswego and what great things that will be happening in the future. Since we are an advisory board, we want to be able to listen to what is going on around the city, good or bad. If someone has an issue or wants to promote an idea or event, we want to be able to take that information and advise them who they may need to speak with. Improving on the bad and building on the good will allow us to promote our city better and make everyone’s experience positive enough to enjoy Oswego as a whole. Q: Oswego County enjoyed a record amount of tourism dollars last year. Is the city reaping some of those benefits? What is the state of tourism in the Port City? A: I feel the state of tourism has increased over the last year. With the addition to bringing in Super DIRT Week, we have an amazing waterfront, a fishing season that brings in thousands of fishermen who then spend money in our city and stay in our hotels. The unique events we have throughout the year also bring in many people to experience what Oswego has and we are finding people want to come back.
By Payne Horning DECEMBER 2017/ JANUARY 2018