COLEBROOK, NH - As part of the fastest-growing tourism region in NH, the North Country Chamber of Commerce has entered into a three year partnership with TotalScope Marketing of Plymouth NH to facilitate a destination marketing program for its membership and the region.

"It is with great enthusiasm that we partner with TotalScope Marketing. I think this is just the opportunity the business community has been waiting for and together I see great things for our region with regard to creating an attractive destination and selling it," says Mike Daley, incoming President of the Chamber's Board of Directors.

The North Country Destination Marketing Program (DMP) was strategically developed by TotalScope Marketing after working with the North Country Chamber of Commerce the past few years conducting various tourism research projects. The DMP will be a part of the Chamber's focus on marketing the northern Coos County and bordering communities in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom, collectively the "North Country" as one destination with over 15 featured towns. The strategic marketing component to this overall program is that it is designed to be self-funded, and will be starting with a five-part plan that will purposefully create sustainability for tourism marketing for years to come.

The program will be facilitated by TotalScope Marketing and managed by a chamber based Destination Marketing Committee, expressly for the members of the Chamber with the distinct goal of increasing visitation to the region for extended stays. The first phase of the plan will be released by July 1, 2016, and which will include a retail discount card that can be purchased by visitors and locals alike, with the sales revenues to target future tourism marketing. Additional phases of the DMP are developing, and information on their specifics will be announced soon.

Scott Stephens of TotalScope Marketing explains, "This program is clearly driven to create sustainable funding which will then be invested wisely in further tourism marketing for the North Country. While this program will be adding value beyond the usual economic impact, we see tourism as economic development. When we can bring quality guests to a region, it inevitably gets many to think about living and doing business here. Developing the right branding and sending the right strategic message about vacationing in the North Country is the same as marketing the region as a great place to live and work." Stephens adds, "As a destination and tourism focused marketing firm, we are looking forward to working with the North Country Chamber's board and membership, who are poised and readily engaged to work with us."

Partial funding for development of this plan was made possible by a Rural Business Development Grant through the Northern Community Investment Corporation from USDA Rural Development, the TransCanada Corporation, the Tillotson North Country Foundation, and Indian Stream Health Center.

Posted 5/13/16