Thursday, October 13, 2016

TRAIN YOUR STAFF:  The Pass Closing is positive!  

When Highway 20 closes it signals the start to our winter season!  The success of our community (and your business) comes from winter visitation!  Train your staff to positively sell the route to Winthrop in the Winter!

Here are some sales tips for staff:

Highway 20 over the North Cascades is now OPEN to snowmobiles and skis.  This exciting announcement signals winter has come to the Methow!  

Routes to Winthrop from the West Side of Washington State include scenic Highway 2 over Stevens Pass or I90 through the Mountains to Sound Greenway over Snoqualamie Pass and Blewett Pass. 

The route to Winthrop from the West Side of the State is easy.  It is 3 left turns and a thousand "Ahhs".  

The route to Winthrop travels up the mighty Columbia River and then up the stunning Methow River.  

There are great visitor amenities along the way.  (make a list of your recommendations.  Maybe they include the Anjou Bakery, Lone Pine Espresso, the dam bathrooms and the Sweet River Bakery)  

Don't Say

The Pass is Closed.  (without the excitement of why!  Because winter is here!)

"The long way"  Never tell anyone they have to go "the long way."   It is simply the way to the Methow in the winter.

Don't assume or project onto the visitor that "going around" is a burden.  The route up the Columbia and up the Methow Valley is incredibly beautiful with fantastic visitor amenities along the way!  The journey here is part of the thrill of coming to the Methow.  You are coming to Paradise, enjoy the ride!  

Consider brainstorming more fun, positive ways to sell the journey at your next staff meeting!