(Lancaster, PA)  Oct. 28, 2008 – The Pennsylvania Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau today announced that it has teamed up with The Lancaster Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Heritage Center of Lancaster County to transition the current Downtown Visitors Center at Southern Market to a new name and location in spring 2009:  the Downtown Lancaster Visitors Center, located on the first floor of the Heritage Center Museum in Penn Square, and owned and operated by the PA Dutch CVB.

“The Chamber has done an outstanding job of managing and growing the Downtown Visitors Center for more than two decades,” stated Chris Barrett, president and CEO of the PA Dutch CVB. “Moving it to the higher-visibility, higher-traffic area of Penn Square will provide more opportunities to tell folks about all the things we have to offer in the city and across the county, and will thus enhance the overall visitor experience.”

Tom Baldrige, president of The Chamber, echoed those sentiments:  “The relocation of the Visitors Center to Penn Square will increase its value to tourism properties in both Downtown Lancaster and throughout the countryside, and we look forward to continued collaboration with our partners in implementing a seamless transition to this new operational stage.”

In an effort to maximize the visitor experience in Lancaster County in conjunction with the opening of the new Convention Center and in light of a more-focused direction contained in its recent Strategic Plan, The Chamber approached the PA Dutch CVB about the latter’s interest in working together to seamlessly shift ownership and operation of the Visitors Center from The Chamber to the CVB.

Both parties subsequently agreed on this joint initiative, and have partnered with the Heritage Center during the past several months to put this process in motion. The new site will operate in addition to, not in place of, the CVB’s current Pennsylvania Dutch Country Visitors Center on Greenfield Road, Lancaster.

Site specifics

Name:  Downtown Lancaster Visitors Center (previously the Downtown Visitors Center), opening spring 2009
Location:  First floor of the Heritage Center Museum, Penn Square, Lancaster
Purpose:  Provide information to visitors and residents on tourism offerings and services in Downtown Lancaster and across the county
Hours:  Monday – Saturday from 9am to 6pm, and Sunday from 10am to 3pm
Features:

• Travel consultants available to assist with directions and information
• Brochures and maps on area dining, shopping, lodging, attractions, etc.
• Feature displays of member attractions, shops, lodging properties, restaurants, etc.
• Short film introducing guests to Lancaster, showing all day in theater

Lancaster County is a wonderful blend of urban style and rural splendor, and the PA Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau is dedicated to promoting its many rich cultures, from the Amish to the arts. Travelers can take in our vibrant downtown city life – featuring galleries, great dining, specialty shops, and live music – or explore some of the surrounding towns and villages to get a sampling of the heritage, food, craftsmanship, and hands-on activities for which Lancaster is famous. Visit us today at www.discoverlancasterpa.com.

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