LACONIA — The WOW Trail and the Laconia Main Street Initiative invite the public to a presentation, Capturing the Economic Potential of Rail Trails, on Tuesday March 19 at Pitman's Freight Room, 94 New Salem Street, Laconia at 7 p.m.
The program will be presented by Carl Knoch o fthe Rails to Trails Conservancy.
lanning and construction of several rail trails is currently underway in a number of Lakes Region towns: Bristol, Franklin, Northfield, Tilton, Belmont, Laconia and Wolfeboro. In addition, the 60 mile-long Northern Rail Trail was just named to the Rails to Trails Conservancy's Top 100 Rail Trails in the United States.
Rail trails add to the quality of life of local residents and can add to downtown foot traffic, but they are also an attraction for new visitors and a new type of year-round tourism.
In this program Knoch will explain the types and levels of economic activity related to recreational trail tourism, how it varies with length of trail, and methods of attracting, welcoming, and enticing trail users into the community based upon the successful Trail Town Program in Pennsylvania (www.trailtowns.org). Carl Knoch has nearly 30 years of professional experience in marketing and marketing research.
In 2009, he was inducted into the Keystone Society for Tourism in recognition of his efforts to promote trails and tourism destinations. He also serves as a volunteer director for the York County Rail Trail Authority.
A question and answer session will follow the presentation.
Business-owners, decision-makers and trail supporters are welcome and encouraged to attend this free event. RSVP to Diane Hanley at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 524-7821.