1. TO FOCUS GROUP PARTICIPANT Thank you for agreeing to be a member of our focus groups! As part of this group, we will need you to complete the following tasks:

2. TASKS 1.Review this slide program to learn more about the project. 2.Watch Inside Yellowstones 2-minute podcast video (#1. Introduction by Park Ranger Beth Taylor) on your personal computer: http://www.nps.gov/archive/yell/insideyellowstone /videolist.htm

3. TASKS, CONTINUED 3.Choose at least one of the following podcasts: - To learn about Fort Stevens at Rock Creek Park: http://www.nps.gov/rocr/photosmultimedia/multim edia.htm To learn about Glacier National Park: http://www.nps.gov/glac/photosmultimedia/podcas ts.htm

4. TASKS, CONTINUED 4.Watch one of the two podcast slide programs. By doing so, you will get an idea of what visuals will be matched with basic narration for a podcast of approximately 3 minutes in length. Remember: Some people will be watching the podcast like a mini-video, while others may only listen to the information, as with a radio program.

5. TASKS, CONTINUED 5.Answer your set of focus group questions. 6.Watch the last podcast slide program. Answer the focus group questions. 7.Send your responses (with questions) via e-mail to each of the three key contacts listed on the last page of this slide program.

6. A Podcast Partnership for the Potomac Corridor

7. WHAT IS A PODCAST? A way to distribute multimedia (audio and/or visual) files over the internet for playback on a mobile device (iPod, MP3 player, cell phone or personal digital assistant) or personal computer.

8. PARTNERS -American Recreation Coalition -National Tour Association -National Park Service -Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park -George Washington Memorial Parkway

9. WHY DID WE CHOOSE TO PILOT THE PROGRAM IN THESE PARKS? Geographic link to the Potomac River. Urban/suburban neighborhood proximity with a blend of local/regional and destination use. Diverse recreational, historic and cultural assets and diverse visitation. Linear nature of both parks creates the ideal opportunity for the adoption of communication through technology. Partnerships with numerous organizations that will find podcasts attractive.

10. OBJECTIVES -To create 12-15 audio/visual podcasts in English/Spanish for two national park sites -To provide this information to the public free-of-charge via iTunes and park websites -To find innovative ways to market podcasts and make them available to travelers.

11. PODCAST SPECIFICS - Each park will create an introductory podcast which will be 12-15 minutes long. -Shorter segments (3-5 minutes each) will augment the introductory podcasts and focus on selected topics or locations. -The project will enlist the assistance of local and state government agencies, tourism promotion agencies, and park partners.

12. WHY PODCASTS? In most cases, visitors already possess (and highly value) a platform for this new information stream. 200+ million iPods and clones are now in the hands of Americans -- nearly every youth has one!

13. OVERVIEW/TIMELINE -American Recreation Coalition and the National Tour Association will record and produce the podcasts in close consultation with park management. -Initial podcasts will be available to the public by Fall/Winter 2007 -This is part of an on-going effort with the goal of updating and expanding park podcasts in the future by developing in-house capabilities to do so by 2008/2009.

14. KEY CONTACTS Derrick A. Crandall, President American Recreation Coalition 1225 New York Ave., N.W., Suite 450 Washington, D.C. 20005 202-682-9530 dcrandall@funoutdoors.com Dana Dierkes, Park Ranger George Washington Memorial Pkwy. National Park Service Turkey Run Park McLean, VA 22101 703-289-2580 dana_dierkes@nps.gov James Santini, Legislative Counsel National Tour Association 1101 King Street, Suite 350 Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 684-0755 Jdsantini1@verizon.net Alyssa Baltrus Chesapeake & Ohio Canal NHP 710 MacArthur Blvd. Potomac, MD 20854 301-491-2452 alyssa_baltrus@nps.gov