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Expo helps businesses reach summer visitors

One-stop shop previews area attractions, amenities
May 3, 2018

Adele Powers juggled a stack of information April 17 gathered during the third annual Southern Delaware Tourism Partners Expo.

The general manager of Beach View Hotel in Rehoboth Beach said the expo is a great opportunity to find area attractions to share with summer visitors.

“We love it,” Powers said. “We get more information here. It's fantastic.”

Powers' husband, Jim, is manager of the Avenue Inn and Spa in Rehoboth Beach. He jokes the couple can't work together but they work in the same business.

Jim Powers said he provides a display area in his hotel for restaurants and stores, and he also puts information on popular destinations and activities at the front desk.

“In a matter of a couple of hours you can go around and get a lot of information,” he said.

Tina Coleman, communications manager for Southern Delaware Tourism, said she expected about 100 hotel managers and staff to visit the displays among the three-hour expo.

“It's a way to introduce hotel front desk employees to people who provide outdoor adventure activities, area attractions and events,” Coleman said. “The expo makes them aware of all the options available to their guests.”

Capt. Steve Cardano with Cape Water Tours in Lewes, in his third year of participating in the expo, said, “We get a lot of references. People send their guests to us.”

First-year participant, Milton businesswoman Krista Scudlark brought a selection of goodies to the expo to promote her Backyard jams & jellies. “I thought it would be a good brainstorming, networking opportunity,” she said.

Her homemade jams are used during breakfast at The Backyard restaurant in Milton, and her tomato jam is used on burgers at the Henlopen Oyster House, she said.

“It's fun to meet people, and the expo gives good exposure,” Scudlark said.

A few folks from Downtown Milford Inc. also set up a display touting everything Milford has to offer – a city about 15 minutes north of Lewes.

Pletcher pointed out several events visitors would enjoy. The 15th annual Bug & Bud Festival will be held Saturday, April 28, and the city holds a Third Thursday event every month to promote downtown business. In May, she said, the theme will be Join the Force, in honor of Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader films. In September, she said, it's a Ladybug Music Festival.

DMI President Sara Pletcher said the expo gave them a great opportunity to let people know about Milford.

“We welcome people to take our brochures promoting Milford,” she said.

Twenty-five businesses and organizations attended the expo including Abbott’s Mill, Delaware Botanic Gardens, Delmarva Board Sports, Gallery 107, Jolly Trolley, Nanticoke Indian Association, Nassau Valley Vineyards, Out of the Sand, Overfalls Foundation, Quest, Rehoboth Bay Sailing Association, Sun Otter Tours, True Blue Jazz and chambers of commerce for Lewes, Rehoboth, Dewey Beach, Millsboro, Bethany and Fenwick Island.

 

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