Friends of Lake Cumberland –

Don’t forget the Corps will hold a public hearing on the Lake Cumberland/Wolf Creek Dam situation on MONDAY Feb. 12, 6:30 p to 8:00 pm, at the Hendersonville First Baptist Church in TENNESSEE.

For those that could not attend:

 

SEKTDA hosted another town hall/public meeting on Wednesday at the Center for Rural Development. About 110 people were in attendance for the 90 minute meeting.

 

SEKTDA showed off a series of radio and TV spots they created about the situation, centering on the theme – “Got Water”. The KY Department of Tourism handed out a media plan/ad buy that they will undertake in the coming weeks. It will be a six figure purchase. Specific details are at the end of this newsletter after the news paper clips. I hope to include copies of the print ads (jpegs) and radio (mp3’s) and TV (windows media files) spots in future news letters.

 

One realtor mentioned that they sent out a 1300 piece e-mail to their client e-mail list and that seemed to help calm some fears of out of town folks.

 

Vicki mentioned creating a Lake Cumberland Task Force to help speak with one voice and disseminate information. Her team is heading that up.

 

Those wishing to use the ramp at General Burnside Island State Park are urged to use caution and proceed at their own risk – since the “fingers” of the ramp are now exposed – creating some potential hazards for those that are not careful. Plans are to install a large highway traffic sign with that message.

 

State experts will be examining the ramps at both state parks – General Burnside Island and Lake Cumberland (state resort park) next week as soon as the lake settles at 680’ to see what short and long term options exist.

 

ITEMS OF INTEREST

 

http://lakecumberland.com/

 

Army Corps of Engineers Lake Cumberland/Wolf Creek Dam web page. http://www.lrn.usace.army.mil/pao/issues/WOLcommo/

 

If you want to monitor the level here is the website: http://www.lrn.usace.army.mil/hh/resplots/wol_a.html

 

The Corps’ Manager's office home page:

http://www.orn.usace.army.mil/pao/lakeinfo/WOL.htm

 

On the Net: Corps Nashville District:

http://www.lrn.usace.army.mil/

 

DEVELOPMENTS

 

Corps of Engineers Public Meeting Schedule
_ Monday, Feb. 12, 6:30 p to 8:00 pm, Hendersonville First Baptist Church

_ Thursday, Feb. 15, 6:30 p.m., Gallatin City Hall, 132 W. Main St., Gallatin. ___

RECENT NEWS ARTICLES

 

http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/16658761.htm

Those below dam to get warning radios

 

http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070208/NEWS01/70208075
Flood maps prove popular

 

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070208/NEWS01/70208037/1008

Towns below dam to get warning gear

 

http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/1560001
Local anglers, boaters see good and bad in lake draw-down

 

http://governor.ky.gov/newsroom/pressreleases/20070208wolfcreek.htm

Governor Fletcher Announces Funding for Important Public Safety Projects in Communities Below the Wolf Creek Dam

 

 

TOURISM ADVERTISING/MARKETING OVERVIEW

The Department of Tourism will positively impact the lake region with additional promotion/advertising/public relations for this area.  Tourism will create interest in region through targeted marketing.  A variety of mediums are possible – radio, TV, print, signage, electronic, etc. The department plans to promote this area to our “feeder” cities where the most of our tourists come from.

 

ASSISTANCE OPPORTUNITIES

The Department of Tourism will assist the tourism offices and entities in the region in putting together a strong marketing/advertising/communications plan to gain positive exposure and education on the Lake Cumberland region. 

 

The following are recommended steps to market the area:

1.         Regional Feeder City Advertising and Public Relations in

Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati – City Domination

*Television Advertising – April/May 2007

*Consumer Sport and Travel Shows

            Cleveland – March 2007

            Columbus – March 2007

*Billboard Advertising – April/May 2007

*Provide all radio stations in the markets ‘Vacation Packages’ from

Lake Cumberland for promotion – May 2007

2.         Regional Publication Advertising/Advertorial

            *Ohio Publication – April/May/June/July 2007

3.         Adventure Travel Shows

            *Advil Outdoor Show, Toronto, February 2007

4.         Regional Newspaper Insert Advertising and Public Relations

            *Ohio/Indiana/Illinois/Michigan – 1,238,646 Circulation – April 2007

            *In-State- 547,408 Circulation – April 2007

5.         E-Marketing – April 2007

            *EBrains – 70,000 Inquiries of Kentucky

6.         Website Promotion – March-October 2007

            www.kentuckytourism.com

            *Visual Flash on Homepage of Lake Cumberland – February 2007

            *New Page, “Plenty of Water” with links, facts, webcast, etc. –February 07

            *Provide all Kentucky Weathercasters links to the live webcams so they can

            periodically show Lake Cumberland – March/April 2007

7.         Collateral – April 2007

            *New Rack Card with latest information for local business – April 2007

            *Business signage “Plenty of Water” tag line – April 2007

8.         Create and email address:  lakecumberland@ky.gov, and invite promotional ideas for the Department of Tourism to review for implementation – Feb 07

9.         Weekly article/column in the lake region papers from Commissioner for tourism updates on lake.

10.       Conduct a Familiarization Trip for select Journalists during season to tour lake aboard a Houseboat – May 2007

11.       Plan special events around Lake Cumberland, during “See America Week” for visitors and media – May 2007

           

PUBLIC OUTREACH

The Department of Tourism will hold ongoing meeting with the tourism office in the lake region, reviewing strategies and advertising methods, focusing on research for the area.  These will include a regular conference call with the tourism representatives in the region to share best practices.  Hold a monthly forum in the area to discuss issues and opportunities.  In addition, updates and the newsletter will be posted on www.kentuckytourism.com/industry  for the tourism industry.