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County issues RFP to promote tourism

By Derek Kirk
Posted 3/7/23

MONTICELLO – A Request for Proposal (RFP) was  voted on by the Sullivan County Legislature on Thursday, with the intention of seeking not-for-profits that could support and create new …

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County issues RFP to promote tourism

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MONTICELLO – A Request for Proposal (RFP) resolution was  voted on by the Sullivan County Legislature on Thursday, with the intention of seeking not-for-profits that could support and create new events in Sullivan County.

Earlier that morning, Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association (SCVA) Board of Directors Chairman Eric Frances made a pitch for the SCVA to receive a 20 percent increase in funding.

Frances, explaining how their events play a part in growing the tourism industry within the County, said that the focus of the SCVA should be to not only continue to promote past recurring events, but to create new ones as well in order to grow visitorship and tourism.

“If an event is the same year after year, and it doesn’t change and doesn’t grow…you’ll see the attendance flatten or the event go away,” Frances said. “I think that’s where the Visitor’s Association can help look at events and make them better.”

Frances also noted that although the beautiful views and all the current destinations already present in the county, a major draw for many people are the various events going on all throughout the region.

“Tourism is just as competitive,” Frances said, stating his wish for the Sullivan Catskills to compete with neighboring attraction destinations, such as the Berkshires and the Poconos, by keeping “the brand out there and alive.”

He went on to say that online advertising costs have recently risen since the pandemic, with no sign of them dropping back down anytime soon, and that many social media app optic tools once used to target demographics have recently been made unavailable or obscured.

“In advertising, you spray and pray and hope that you’re getting the views of the people that you used to be able to target,” Frances said, with the point of his argument being, “don’t lose customers because acquiring new ones cost so much.”

Frances noted that the region currently has an opportunity to sell the Sullivan Catskills as being “only a gas tank away from our beautiful region and all the events that we offer.”

RFP issued

Legislative Chair Robert Doherty commented on Frances’ report, stating that the SCVA is contracted to fund the promotion of their events without any additional funds outside of that which is allotted via bed tax revenues. The Chairman claimed that the organization’s operating budget went from $1.2 million to $2.4 million in just two years.

“Your money has doubled, you’re obligated under your contract to promote these events without any additional money…why, as a Legislature, would we give you more money?” Doherty asked.

Frances restated his argument of the rising cost of digital advertising, and the importance of sustaining the message of tourism promotion that has been out there. He also noted the difficulty of running digital advertisements, which he said is necessary in the SCVA’s intent to do more events.

Just before the vote on the RFP, Legislator for District 7, Joe Perrello, called for the decision to be left up to the next Legislature, who would begin their terms next January.

Majority Leader Alan Sorensen said that he understood some of his colleagues’ discomfort in issuing the RFP, but he thought that “it [wouldn’t] hurt just to see what other ideas are out there.”

“I think the Visitor’s Association is doing a good job, and I like the events they have listed in their funding request presentation,” Sorensen said.

The RFP resoultion passed by 5-3 vote, with Legislators Ira Steingart, Joe Perrello and Luis Alvarez  voting in opposition..

Public Safety Committee

E-911 and EMS Coordinator Alex Rau, reported that EMS calls were up five percent and on par with last year’s statistics.

Sullivan County Drug Task Force Co-Chair, Wendy Brown, announced that the result of a Pillar lead meeting last month brought about significant changes in the hierarchy of the organization. 

Brown said that the Task Force is disbanding the Information and Technology Services - Data Information pillar. They have also added a Veteran’s Pillar and a Financial Management Pillar.

Sullivan County Acting District Attorney (DA) Brian Conaty reported that his office had filled out 35 indictments and court orders since the beginning of the year. Conaty said that the DA’s office had seized over nine ounces of fentanyl, two ounces of crack cocaine, one illegal handgun all within the week prior to his report.

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