78 34 6 80


PRINCETON 6


26 34 40 Henry 34 78 90 150 40 Chillicothe 89 29 116 150 74


PEORIA 474


CANTON 9


9 78 29 24


EAST P


26 24 150 17 29 17 Lacon 80 180 DePue 29 Illinois River 71 6


18 39


STEP TWO: ENGAGE


Just because you don’t have a “VISITOR CENTER” sign hanging outside your establishment doesn’t mean you can’t be just as informative and helpful as they are. Even if your business isn’t necessarily a “tourist destination,” it can appeal to those traveling through your community. The key is engaging your patrons in a variety of ways:


INTERACT WITH TRAVELERS Visitors will make it a point to spend more, make a return visit, and refer others if they have a more “personal” experience at your business.


Nearly eight in ten


(79%) leisure trips are made by car.


- U.S. Travel Association • Share your story, your town’s story


Examples: Share unique aspects of your business (local products, unusual or special services); Help the visitor better get to know you and your business (make it “personal” for your customer); Share a tidbit of history or a little known fact about your community.


BE PREPARED TO ANSWER THE QUESTION, “WHAT IS THERE TO DO HERE?” We tend to look at our own communities/region with a much different perspective than visitors do. What may seem ordinary or uninteresting is often authentic and enjoyable for those visiting. Believe it or not, those who live in mountainous or coastal regions are thrilled to experience cornfields, rivers and wetlands!


• Prepare 3 basic questions you and your staff ask visitors to your business


Examples: Where are you from? What brings you to our community? Have you been to (insert another business or attraction here) yet?


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