Knowledge sharing, inspiration and managing expectations

 On Tuesday 13 March, entrepreneurs' association Toerisme De Baronie organised its annual members' meeting at Van der Valk in Gilze. The turnout was good and the atmosphere was convivial. We are one year on from the association's establishment. A lot of work has been done and we look back on a successful 2017. And now all of us - board and members - full steam ahead and professionalise ourselves further in 2018!

Different format
Instead of a 'dry' General Members' Meeting, we opted for a more informal setting with an 'expectations' workshop as the centrepiece. This different format was well received by our members. The workshop was led enthusiastically by Joost Wagenmakers, marketer, former alderman for tourism and recreation of the municipality of Oisterwijk and currently chairman of the Buitengebied Management Oisterwijk Foundation.

Surprising outcomes 'expectations' workshop
The key questions of the workshop were "What do you expect as a member of Toerisme De Baronie?" and "What can Toerisme De Baronie expect from you?". The workshop made surprising connections between entrepreneurs and triggered a valuable flow of ideas and initiatives. Prominently revealed was that entrepreneurs want to get to know each other better and strengthen each other. It also became clear how much specialist knowledge, of online communication and Social Media for instance, is available among our members. We will definitely make use of this.

Solid organisational and financial foundation
Over the past year, a lot of hard work has gone into establishing a solid organisational and financial foundation; this now stands. Thanks to the participation of Gilze and Rijen municipality, with thanks to councillor Rolph Dols, Toerisme De Baronie has a balanced budget for 2018. The importance of the leisure economy is great and the municipality endorses that. The way in which Gilze and Rijen municipality cooperates with entrepreneurs' association Toerisme De Baronie can be called unique. It enables us to move forward at full speed. Together we are strong!

The focal points for 2018 are:

• attract more visitors (targeted marketing communications);
• offer visitors more (connecting, sharing knowledge, inspiring each other and professionalising);
• beautify the region (information, experience (storytelling) and facilities);
• Inform and provide service (enquiry, newsletter, advice and archive);
• networking (representing leisure interests, partnerships and founding).

If you would like to join Toerisme De Baronie or receive more information about it, send an email to [email protected].