America's Byways®Inside this Issue
WHAT'S NEW
The Byways Will Miss You, George!
George Schoener to Lead I-95 Corridor Coalition
In May 2006, George Schoener will become the new Executive Director of the I-95 Corridor Coalition; www.i95coalition.org. George currently is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy with the U.S. Department of Transportation. Many of you will remember his long involvement in the National Scenic Byways Program. He led the development of the 1991 Report to Congress that presented options for a new program, that Congress ultimately used in shaping the program as part of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA). George served as the director of FHWA's planning office that had lead responsibility for the implementation of the program from 1991 through 2002, when he left FHWA for his current position. George continued to be a champion for byways. He is the only person who has participated in all five designation events for National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads. We wish him all the best as he begins a new career outside the Department.
Don't Miss The Big Announcement!
Visit www.bywaysonline.org on May 5 to learn about an exciting opportunity for byways!
America's Byways® - Graphic Standards Manual
It's here, it's here! The long-awaited Graphic Standards Manual has arrived. You can download it here. Or the next time you download the America's Byways' logo it will be attached. The Manual includes all sorts of details and how-to's for the logo's usage. The details include: identity, typography, specification (how to use and how NOT to use), MUTCD usage, funding attribution and much, much more...
GREAT IDEA
Happy 200th Birthday Historic National Road!
2006 marks the bicentennial for the Historic National Road, All-American Road. On March 29, 1806, President Thomas Jefferson commissioned the construction of America's first federally funded interstate highway, and this year, each of the States that the Byway traverses (MD, PA, WV, OH, IN and IL) celebrate this important mile marker in American history. In Indiana, the Indiana National Road Association (INRA) held its Bicentennial Bash in the Railroad Depot National Register Historic District and local Conservation District in Richmond. The celebration took place in an historic warehouse located across from the Daniel H. Burnham designed Depot, that has hopes for rehabilitation with a new owner who purchased the building last year. "National Road," was sung by its author Greg Ziesemer of the Indianapolis band, the Spud Puppies, a silent auction and donations made the event a successful fundraiser for INRA, and dinner was served for all who attended. Altogether, it was a memorable night to commemorate 200 years of heritage along the Historic National Road.
In addition, Joe Jarzen, HNR Indiana, reported that the Historic National Road hit the news! They were on Indianapolis' big TV news stations promoting the Bicentennial. Click here here to see our Byways' rising star. In addition, Joe added that many may have seen the other publicity they've received in the latest Family Circle, and also the March/April issue of Home & Away, April issue of Midwest Living and also the smaller publications, Ohio and Vintage Ford.
San Juan Skyway Celebrates the Yankee Girl
The San Juan Skyway's active Byway group, led by Ken Francis, highly values the preservation and the integrity of the Byway experience. The Red Mountain Pass project was organized in 1998 by the county elected officials following the completion of an historic mining and railroad structures strategic plan (funded by NSBP). The Yankee Girl (mine) was a long battle with the original owner who threatened to tear the structure down or move it to a theme park.
Bob Risch, an outstanding chairman and leader of the Red Mtn. Project Task Force Chairman writes: "It is with considerable pleasure and a great sense of relief that I can confirm the Yankee Girl and two adjoining claims - the Wilde and the Orphan Boy - are now in the hands of someone whose goal is the preservation of the site. Mark Young of Montrose closed on the property and will quickly begin the process of protecting the site with a conservation easement. He is also planning to analyze the structural integrity of the head frame, and is looking forward to working with [the Byway group] in the eventual stabilization process."
America's Byways® and CO Statewide Historic Preservation Conference
Over 1200 people recently attended the largest statewide historic preservation conference in the country, "Saving Places 2006: Building on the Past" in Denver, Colorado. Every one of them wore the America's Byways logo around their necks, on name badges donated by the America's Byways Resource Center. Among the many sponsors, the ABRC and the Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways Program also participated in the Resource Center Trade Show, the only trade show of preservation related products, programs and services in the Rocky Mountain Region. The National Scenic Byways Program sent the brand new banner, which added a colorful component to the display.
ON THE WEB
Writing Emails That People Will Read
Writing good email messages has become an art of communicating relevance, importance, and time sensitivity. If action is required, the email should indicate this in such a way that people can quickly decide whether it is something they need to respond to now or later. Here's a short list of helpful tips for improving your email messages:
- Before writing a message, answer for yourself "Why am I writing this?" and "What exactly do I want the result of this message to be?"
- Be concise, but clear. Make your point in the first sentence if possible.
- Be clear about whether you are requesting action and if so, what it is and when you need it. Don't exaggerate the importance of time sensitivity. Make sure the subject line characterizes the message's content or request. If action is needed, include something in the subject line that indicates that. For example, "Action Needed: Send Corridor Management Plan to Bill."
- Keep each message focused on a single topic or request. This gives people the opportunity to filter and prioritize multiple topics and requests independently.
For more information on these and other practical ideas on writing emails, check out an article on www.43folders.com called, "Writing sensible email messages" (http://www.43folders.com/2005/09/19/writing-sensible-email-messages/).
NEWS BRIEFS
New Websites for Three America's Byways®
Check out the new websites for Woodward Avenue, Michigan at www.woodwardavenue.us
And Ohio & Erie Canalway, Ohio at www.ohioanderiecanalway.com:
As well as Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway in Colorado and Utah at www.dinosaurdiamond.org
Honda RedRider Magazine Highlights "Spring Rides"
Extra! Extra!
Congratulations to Friends of the Beartooth
GREAT FALLS, MT -- At the Governor's Conference on Tourism and Recreation in Great Falls, the State Tourism Advisory Council awarded "The city of Red Lodge, the community of Cooke City, Friends of the Beartooth All-American Road and the Red Lodge Chamber of Commerce" the Tourism Partnership of the Year award.
The award was for partnership activities including scheduling special events and working with the Montana Transportation Department, highway contractors and others to keep things going after mudslides forced the closure of the scenic Beartooth Highway in May 2005.
MN "2005 Fall Travel Research” Available
The February 14 edition of the Explore Minnesota Tourism Fast Facts E-newsletter links to a page that is rich with economic data and research about the Minnesota Tourism Industry. While not focused on Scenic Byways, the 03, 04 and 05 data again affirms the significance of recreational driving as a prominent activity for Minnesota visitors. There is an interesting correlation in the "Activities" section between "Sightseeing or driving for pleasure" and "Driving on designated scenic byways." Mark Anderson, Byways Coordinator, MN.
"2005 Fall Travel Research” Available: The second in a series of reports on Minnesota travelers is now available. The reports provide timely information to help Minnesota destinations craft effective marketing programs. A marketing research company based in Kennebunk, Maine, surveyed approximately 450 travelers in locations throughout Minnesota this past fall. The unique appeal of the state's different tourism regions is among the findings of the new report. The University of Minnesota Tourism Center, the Minnesota Arrowhead Association, the Minnesota Heartland Tourism Association, the Southern Minnesota Tourism Association and the Metro Tourism Committee joined with Explore Minnesota Tourism in soliciting this research. The full report, Minnesota Traveler Profile: Fall 2005, is available online here.
DOT Office of Travel &Tourism Industries: 3/17/06 U.S. Travel and Tourism Exports Soar to New Heights in 2005
The U.S. Department of Commerce that the total international travel and tourism exports (receipts) reached the unprecedented level of $104.8 billion in 2005. This represents a 12 percent increase ($11.5 billion) in travel exports over 2004.
- International visitors spent a record-breaking $104.8 billion on travel-related goods and services in the United States.
- 2005 marks the seventeenth consecutive year that the travel and tourism industry has generated a balance of trade surplus.
- Travel and tourism exports increased 12 percent in 2005; conversely, travel imports decelerated to 6 percent in 2005, helping to add nearly $6 billion to the already favorable U.S. travel and tourism balance of trade.
To view the U.S. Department of Commerce press release, please click here.
DOT OTTI: International Visitation to the US Continues to Rebound
In 2005, international visitation to the United States increased 7 percent over 2004 to 49.9 million visitors. This represents the second consecutive year the U.S. travel and tourism industry has benefited from positive visitation growth, having increased 12 percent to 46.1 million in 2004. Further, the United States enjoyed record numbers of visitors from 58 of the more than 200 countries for which data are available.
To view additional international arrival data, please click here.OPPORTUNITIES
Bicycle/Pedestrian Planning Strategies Teleconference
This coming May 4th from 1-4 pm there will be a teleconference titled, "From SAFETEA-LU to Safe Routes to School." The purpose of this live, three-hour broadcast is to highlight the key provisions and administrative efforts underway to implement the new law. You can register for this teleconference and get more information here.
New Heritage Tourism Partnering Guidance for Federal Agencies
The Advisory Counsil On Historic Preservation (ACHP) has posted new guidance on its website to help Federal agencies in meeting their responsibilities under Executive Order 13287 to partner to promote heritage tourism in local communities. The guidance provides recommendations for both Federal land managers and Federal assistance agencies, and highlights innovative initiatives and success stories. Click here for more information.
Spring Topic:
"A Big Announcement for Byways!"
Do you have news or ideas to share with the Byway Community?
E-mail bulletin@byways.org
