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Lancaster County is home to the original and largest Amish settlement in U.S. But the area also has a surprisingly hip downtown that is walkable, where visitors will find art galleries, fine dining, performing arts, unique shops, and boutique hotels – yet it’s all just a 15-minute drive from the heart of Amish farmlands. - Mara Sultan, Discover Lancaster


In the gorgeous Lancaster County area, Mara Sultan, convention and international sales manager for Discover Lancaster, explains what her organization can provide and how they can be a good fit for smaller groups.


“Discover Lancaster is the official des- tination marketing organization for Lancaster County, PA, and has a dedi- cated sales person to assist planners with any size or type of meeting or convention,” says Sultan.


As some of these smaller groups may not have the manpower or resources to do all the legwork needed for an off-site meeting or conference, Discover Lancaster is happy to assist with all the details.


With more the 220-acres


devoted to grape growing, the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail was designated as an American Viticultural Area in 2008.


“We can assist in distributing RFPs to area hotels and venues, set up site tours, help find speakers, provide pro- motional materials, refer specific ven- dors, assist with transportation, coor- dinate an official welcome, and help direct planners to team building activities,” she notes.


Sultan adds that they have many part- ner hotels and venues that work well for smaller groups, and they will be happy to lend their expertise to make a good suggestion to the client as to where to go.


“Most of our hotels and other meet- ing and convention venues can


42 November  December 2016


accommodate a smaller meeting,” she continues. “We strive to find the right fit for all groups that come to Lancaster. If the client wants more of a downtown setting, I would suggest one of our boutique hotels in Lancaster City. If the client is looking for more of a country ‘retreat’ setting, I would recommend a hotel set amid the Amish countryside. Most proper- ties can provide various room setups, food and beverage, AV assistance and other services.”


“Our area’s smaller size and the sub- sequent personal relationships we have with properties - and they with one another - mean that guests of any size meeting will not get ‘lost in the shuffle,’” observes Sultan. “We believe that we can attend to the needs of every meeting and convention we host better than a larger city might - and yet still offer many of the ameni- ties and activities you find in a larger area.”


Assisting with these needs includes providing promotional materials prior to the meeting, attending the prior- year’s event to build interest in next year’s Lancaster location, and ensur- ing the planner has all needed resources at their fingertips on-site, whether it be gift baskets, transporta- tion, concierge service, etc.


And no matter where the group is located, hosting an event in the Lancaster area is a snap to get to via many transportation options.


“Unlike most traditional Mid-Atlantic meeting locations, Lancaster is easily accessible via Amtrak – with second busiest station in Pennsylvania, sever- al major highways, and four regional and local airports, yet it offers a won- derful blend of urban style and rural splendor,” notes Sultan. “And with a multitude of attractions, the surround-


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