“How to Turn Travelers into Customers” workshop to be held in Orange City

ORANGE CITY, Iowa – Local businesses and organizations are invited to attend or send employees to a two-hour workshop entitled “How to Turn Travelers into Customers.” Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach will host the workshop on March 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Prairie Winds Event Center in Orange City.

The workshop is especially designed for small business managers, community tourism leaders and frontline employees who interact with community visitors, including retail, convenience stores, restaurants, attractions and lodging.

According to workshop presenters, frontline employees can become a community’s best ambassadors when they desire to be so. Workshop participants will learn how to inspire more travelers to stop at their community, stay longer and keep returning. It will also focus on how to attract visitors to their own business and increase their customer base through the “Five Steps of Excellent Customer Service.”

“ISU Extension and Outreach and the Sioux County Extension Council are excited to co-sponsor and offer this workshop to everyone in Sioux County,” said Beth Bunkers, Youth and Communities Associate Educator with ISU Extension and Outreach in Sioux County.

The workshop will be taught by Jane Nolan Goeken, community development specialist, and Diane Van Wyngarden, tourism specialist, both from ISU Extension and Outreach.

There is a $10 per person registration fee with a maximum of $25 per business or organization; thus, if businesses send 3 or more people, the fee is $25 total. Registration can be completed online at https://form.jotform.com/4Hregion1/turn-travelers-into-customers.

Registration deadline is extended until the new event date of Marc 13 at the same times. Questions can be directed to Bunkers at 712-737- 4230 or bbunkers@iastate.edu.