The Leavenworth Chamber Unveils ‘Destination Smart’
LEAVENWORTH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE UNVEILS “DESTINATION SMART” SUSTAINABLE TOURISM MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK AND DONATION TO UPPER VALLEY MEND’S SOLID FOUNDATIONS
LEAVENWORTH, Wash. – The Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce its new “Destination Smart” sustainable tourism management framework, which blends the organization’s current tourism initiatives with new programs to create a framework for managing, marketing, and planning Leavenworth’s commerce and tourism industry.
The approach strives to leverage Leavenworth’s events to create revenue streams for local programs and non-profits, develop responsible infrastructure projects to maximize sustainability, balance the needs of the industry and area residents, and provide destination education to visitors.
The five pillars of the Destination Smart program are:
● Funding it Forward
● Visitor Flow Management
● Communication & Monitoring
● Climate & Resiliency
● Destination Development
New Funding it Forward initiatives for 2024 include the Chamber providing additional community event sponsorships and support for local youth groups. The Chamber will continue with previous programs such as Carvings for Causes and Christmastown Ambassadors, which raised more than $80,000 for local community non-profits in 2023.
Practical changes to events, such as eliminating the countdown during weekends in December and changing the operating hours for Oktoberfest, have already helped with Visitor Flow Management. Additionally, the Recreation Ambassador Program, celebrating its fourth year in 2024, provides staffing and messaging at some of the most heavily used trailheads and river access locations for 10 weekends each summer.
The popular “Give a Schnitzel” sustainability and stewardship campaign continues to lead the Chamber’s Communication & Monitoring initiatives. This multimedia campaign encourages taking an active role in caring for our shared lands, educates about observing proper fire and water safety, reminds visitors to be mindful of trail and river etiquette, encourages mid-week visitation, and replaces traditional destination “marketing” with destination “management.”
In addition to ongoing work to make all Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce events zero waste as was implemented with Oktoberfest 2022, the Chamber Board of Directors will be taking on new projects aimed at safety and emergency preparedness to expand efforts in the Climate & Resiliency category.
Destination Development is the category where support has increased the most. For the first time in the organization’s history, the Chamber can support new and existing programs aimed at strengthening Leavenworth’s workforce housing and workforce development. The formation of a new scholarship fund, and partnering with Cascade School District on additional training, are among the top new workforce development programs. Support for workforce housing translated into the Chamber Board of Directors voting unanimously at their February 15 retreat to support Upper Valley MEND’S Solid Foundations affordable housing rental program with a $50,000 donation. The Campaign will allow MEND to purchase and manage 31 rentals across Leavenworth as affordable housing for the local workforce. It also lays the groundwork for additional units to be built or purchased in the future, ensuring that local businesses can recruit and retain good employees.
“Our Destination Smart approach builds off the desire laid out in both the Our Valley Our Future 2022-2026 Master Plan and the 2024 Visit Chelan County Tourism Management Plan, to balance the needs of both destination marketing and destination management,” says Troy Campbell, Executive Director of the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce. “By following the Destination Smart approach to our vibrant tourism industry, we can ensure that it continues to contribute to the health and well-being of our city, region, economy, and environment.”
For more information about the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce Destination Smart program, please visit https://www.leavenworthchamber.org/destination-smart.