ACohnversation


with Courtney Babcock Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau


HI, COURTNEY. SO HAPPY YOU ARE OUR FEATURED COHNVERSATION FOR THIS ISSUE. I HAVE TO SAY, EVERYBODY IN THE INDUSTRY JUST LOVES WORKING WITH YOU! TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND?


Thanks, Jim. After graduating from the Hotel,Restaurant and Tourism school at East Stroudsburg University, I confirmed my love for this industry by working in the hotel sector for a couple of years before moving into the CVB world. I was lucky to see, from within hotels first, how a suc- cessful hotel and CVB partnership could work. When the opportunity was available to transition to the CVB-side of the rela- tionship, I jumped at the chance to learn that role. When I started at the Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau five years ago, I was the Sales Manager handling the meetings market. Today, I am the Director of Sales and handle both the meetings market and group tour.


8­ 0 March­z April­2020


WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO CHESTER COUNTY, PA, SELLING TO THE MEETING AND GROUP MARKETS?


I was born and raised in Chester County, specifically Kennett Square, so when the opportunity was available at the CVB to help expand the group market, I knew it was the right move. It has been amazing to share this region that I appreciate so much with planners and their customers. There are so many treasures to visit in any season, like Longwood Gardens and Brandywine River Museum of Art. And the authentic and vibrant main streets of Kennett Square, West Chester and Phoenixville provide so many great options for unique event venues as well as group dine-arounds and shopping. I hope my personal experience with the county really helps planners host a meeting or event that is not only successful, but one where their customers feel like they are locals themselves.


WHAT ARE SOME “LESSER KNOWN” UNIQUE FACTS ABOUT CHESTER COUNTY?


As a “Kennett Square Girl,” I can tell you all about why this region is known as the Mushroom Capital of the World. Just don’t ask me to pick who makes the best mushroom soup! And most people know about Longwood Gardens, but they do not know that the Brandywine Valley is home to nine other enchanting gardens that are open to visitors and events. In addition, there are numerous preserved lands, farms, county parks, mansions and estates, barns and pavilions that are great options for planners on the hunt for something outside of conference spaces. Did I mention we are also proud to be the home of the Wharton Esherick Museum, the Antique Ice Tool Museum, Herr’s Snack Factory Tour, Treehouse World…


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