1. Tourism is Economic Development Mayor’s Public Forum September 8, 2007

2. Mayor’s Tourism Summit

4. Follow-up Meeting September 5 th produced Short List of Ideas to use as framework

5. Professional Leadership is key to promoting and building a tourism plan

6. We need to identify: an effective brand for Harlingen target markets that are the best fit for Harlingen

7. We must develop the best websites possible to market opportunities for visitors

8. We should consider a Hospitality Training program

9. We should consider Regional Marketing Opportunities

11. Youth Sports Tournaments We Should Exploit the Climate

12. Year-round Birding Opportunities We Should Exploit the Climate

13. Decide how to: best package all there is for visitors to see and do distribute that information

14. Marine Military Academy & Iwo Jima Memorial

15. Harlingen’s Downtown

16. Valley Race Park

17. World Birding Center

18. Harlingen should develop “viral” marketing strategies for visitors such as Winter Texans (word of mouth)

19. Develop models to track return on investment for events and visitor initiatives R.O.I.

20. We need to market to residents, local businesses, and those already visiting Harlingen to: Increase Group Sales (Meetings, Reunions) Lengthen Stays

21. Oversight of the visitor operation should include trade and industry representatives using a model similar to the San Antonio CVB such as …

22. Attractions Lodging Restaurants Transportation Etc.

23. Creates Jobs Generates Tax Revenues Enhances Quality of Life Tourism

24. Tourism is Economic Development