BROOKVILLE — Jefferson County Tourism, under the wing of the Jefferson County Development Council (JCDC), has unveiled its community engagement strategy as a vital component of the county's broader tourism and branding approach.
The primary aim of this engagement is to collaborate closely with key stakeholders across Jefferson County and gather essential community input, marking a significant step in the ongoing brand development strategy announced by Jefferson County in September, as per a press release from Jefferson County Tourism.
Jessica Funk, Director of Economic Development, expressed enthusiasm about initiating community engagement and understanding the unique aspects that define Jefferson County. "This process will guide us in showcasing the county not just as a tourist destination but also as an exceptional place for residence and work," Funk stated. "While it's a journey, investing in a well-informed brand and marketing strategy will yield substantial dividends in the long run."
The community engagement approach will encompass active and passive outreach methods. Active engagement will involve direct interaction with the community during events, group forums, and meetings with key entities in the tourism sector. Passive methods will predominantly employ an online feedback survey.
Kristy Bell, newly appointed as Director of Tourism, highlighted the significance of gathering feedback from residents and business owners to shape Jefferson County's overall brand. Bell has already begun contacting businesses and organizations to gather insights.
The online brand survey is open to business owners, residents, students, and visitors, accessible via the county's developing tourism website, visitjeffersonpa.org, or directly through this link: https://bit.ly/JeffCoPaBrand. The survey will remain open through spring. Participants are encouraged to share their favorite Jefferson County stories and photos using hashtags #BrandingJeffersonCounty and #VisitJeffersonPA, as well as spreading the survey link within their networks.
Funk emphasized that creating a distinctive and recognizable brand for Jefferson County is a pivotal initiative for both tourism and economic development. "The synergy between economic development and tourism can significantly boost local economies and transform communities. We aim to witness this transformation through this branding initiative," Funk emphasized.
The JCDC has enlisted the expertise of external marketing consultant Bull Moose Marketing to guide, facilitate, and participate in the engagement plan's activities and contribute significantly to the county's overall brand development.
To participate in the survey or learn more about the initiative, visit visitjeffersonpa.org. The public is encouraged to follow the Jefferson County Tourism Department's Facebook and Instagram accounts at @visitjeffersonpa.
For further information, please contact Kristy Bell, Director of Tourism, Jefferson County Development Council, at