West Chester BID announces new marketing plan

New marketing plan designed to meet the challenges of the economy.

West Chester PA -- The West Chester Business Improvement District has announced a new marketing program designed to reach a potential audience of 20 million throughout the north eastern region of the United States. The program is in partnership with the Chester County Conference & Visitors Bureau (CVB), the Greater Philadelphia Tourism & Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) and the continued support of Borough of West Chester.

"There is no doubt that the economy will remain a major challenge for downtown West Chester as it is for the region and the nation," said Malcolm Johnstone, executive director of the West Chester BID. "These extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures and the BID is taking bold action to help keep downtown prosperous and active."

The plan calls for the placement of ads in eleven regional magazines with a circulation of 7.1 million and a potential readership of 20 million. The ads will run in the spring when people are planning excursions. There will also be ongoing promotion within the local community.

"More than one million visitors come to the Brandywine Valley each year for business and pleasure," said Johnstone. "We want them to spend part of their time experiencing what West Chester has to offer. This is a segment of the market that we have not reached out for in the past. We will measure the results of the campaign through website traffic and requests for brochures."

Downtown West Chester has been recognized as a Distinctive Destination by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Best New Shopping District by Philadelphia Magazine, a Classic Town
by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission and in the nations top ten for Best Small-town Downtowns by Frommers.

"Because of the economy, people's activities will change," said Johnstone. "We want visitors to know that West Chester offers a great experience that is affordable."

West Chester offers the visitors an opportunity to enjoy 78 shops and dine in 60 restaurants. Museum exhibits, train excursions, and walking tours add to the attraction of West Chester. Parking is free on weekends at meters, garages and public lots.

Summer festivals will begin with the Main Streets of the Brandywine Valley Festival and continue through the summer with live music and activity booths.

A complete calendar of events and directories of shops and restaurants can be found at DowntownWestChester.com.

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The West Chester Business Improvement District, a municipal authority, was established in 2000 to fund and implement programs that create partnerships among business and property owners and achieve long-term economic growth for business in Downtown West Chester.