Kristy Kathman

New Marketing Effort to Focus on County's Beverage and Ecotourism DestinationsCHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, NY -- There’s a new Chautauqua County marketing effort launching this week, focusing on the county’s craft beverage and wine producers, with an additional focus on ecotourism opportunities. The “Chautauqua County Grape & Grain Trail” is a collaboration between the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth (CCPEG) and the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau (CCVB). It is designed to showcase the various wineries, craft breweries, and craft distilleries located within the county, along with its numerous outdoor activities and nature attractions that welcome visitors to the area. “We want to brand Chautauqua County as a destination for not only wine enthusiasts, but also for those who enjoy beer and distilled spirits, while also distinguishing the county from other wine and craft beverage-producing destinations by highlighting the county’s abundant trail networks, waterways, other natural public spaces for recreation, and the amenities that support ecotourism,” said Mark Geise, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and Co-chair of the CCPEG Advisory Board.  The campaign landing page is available at TourChautauqua.com/field-to-glass and lists the various businesses that produce and serve wine, craft beer, and spirits. It will also provide links to pages on the CCVB website so visitors can explore ecotourism friendly adventures in Chautauqua County. Those who visit the website will then be able to use the information to help plan their trip to the county and any of the listed destinations. The Grape & Grain Trail will be promoted on various social media channels, including Instagram, Meta, and Snapchat. “This marketing initiative is an important collaborative effort,” said Andrew Nixon, CCVB director. “The campaign is designed to drive additional visitation to our county’s wineries, breweries, and distilleries, while also working to extend visitor stays and increase visitor spending throughout the region. Through CCPEG, several organizations and businesses have been able to secure the funding necessary to bring this initiative to fruition.” “This campaign creatively aims to showcase the natural beauty of Chautauqua County while highlighting the region's vibrant craft beverage producers, including local wine and spirits,” said Kristy Kathman, CCPEG economic development specialist. “Our goal is to celebrate the picturesque landscapes, various ecotourism destinations, and rich flavors of local brews, wines, and spirits, making Chautauqua County a destination for nature and craft beverage enthusiasts alike.” The Grape & Grain Trail campaign was developed by Paperkite, a marketing firm from Cooperstown, selected by CCPEG following an RFP process that generated interest from more than a dozen different agencies. During the first half of 2024, Paperkite developed a campaign that is unique to Chautauqua County, based on research, interviews, and visits with the businesses and locations connected to the effort. This project is being supported by a Market New York grant from Empire State Development and I LOVE NY/New York State’s Division of Tourism through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative. Matching funds for the project are being provided by the Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation. About CCPEG - The Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth (CCPEG) serves as the main convener of economic development partners and resources to advance key projects that achieve economic prosperity in Chautauqua County. It also serves as the catalyst and broker of resources for advancing economic prosperity efforts and is the central coordinating entity for the formation, retention, development, and attraction of quality jobs and advancements to the quality of life. It is an initiative of the Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation (CREDC). For more information visit CHQPartnership.org.