Knowledge sharing, inspiration and managing expectations

 On Tuesday 13 March, the Toerisme De Baronie business association organised its annual members’ meeting at Van der Valk in Gilze. Attendance was good and the atmosphere was convivial. It has been a year since the association was founded. A great deal of work has been done and we can look back on a successful 2017. And now, all together – board and members alike – we’re moving full steam ahead and continuing to professionalise our organisation in 2018!

A different format
Instead of a ‘dry’ General 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 with great enthusiasm by Joost Wagenmakers, a marketing specialist, former councillor for tourism and leisure for the municipality of Oisterwijk, and currently chair of the Oisterwijk Rural Area Management Foundation.

Surprising outcomes from the ‘expectations’ workshop at
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 revealed surprising connections between business owners and sparked a valuable flow of ideas and initiatives. It became clear that business owners want to get to know one another better and support one another. It also became clear just how much specialist knowledge – for example, in online communication and social media – our members possess. We will certainly be making use of this.

has a solid organisational and financial foundation Over the past year, a great deal of hard work has gone into establishing a solid organisational and financial foundation, which is now in place. Thanks to the involvement of the municipality of Gilze en Rijen – with thanks to Councillor Rolph Dols – Toerisme De Baronie has a balanced budget for 2018. The leisure economy is of great importance, and the municipal council fully endorses this. The way in which the municipality of Gilze en Rijen collaborates with the business association Toerisme De Baronie is truly unique. This enables us to move forward at full speed. Together we are strong!

The key priorities for 2018 are:

• attracting more visitors (targeted marketing communications);
• offering visitors more (connecting, sharing knowledge, inspiring one another and enhancing professional development);
• enhancing the region (information, experience (storytelling) and facilities);
• Inform and provide service (enquiry, newsletter, advice and archive);
• networking (representing leisure interests, partnerships and funding).

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