
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, February 14, 1991                   TAG: 9102140131
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: C6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: GEORGE KEGLEY BUSINESS EDITOR
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

VALLEYWIDE GUIDEBOOK ON THE WAY

The region's chambers of commerce and visitors bureau said Wednesday they will publish a new guide this spring they hope will promote Western Virginia attractions.

The new 48-page visitor and newcomer guide will be published jointly by the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce, Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau and Salem/Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce.

From 35,000 to 50,000 copies are to be printed by April by Leisure Publishing Co. of Roanoke, according to Richard Wells, owner of the company.

A single, valleywide visitor-information piece has been needed, said Martha Mackey, director of the bureau. The free publication is to contain information on festivals, shops, museums, restaurants and accommodations, and it will have a map, she said.

It will be distributed to the state Welcome Centers in Western Virginia and sent to the thousands of people who ask the organizations for information.

Last year, Mackey said, 23,000 visitors came to the bureau and from 1,000 to 1,700 per month wrote for information. The regional chamber handled 5,000 requests for information on the valley and the county chamber another 2,000, their executives said.

The important thing is that the three organizations "are pulling together," Wells said. The chambers compete in economic development and membership recruitment.

Wells estimated the joint effort will save more than half the costs of three separate publications.

The cost will be borne by advertisers. Mackey said the publication will generate additional money in the valley because it will provide information for visitors on shops and restaurants.

Wells said his staff will assemble the information and the three organizations will approve the material.

The Roanoke Regional Chamber will continue its Lifestyle economic-development publication and industrial directory, said acting director Margaret Baker. The Salem/Roanoke County Chamber will continue its Better Living publication, said executive director Curtis Beach.

A Newcomers Guide of the county chamber will be folded into the new publication. The bureau had been planning a visitor guide.

by CNB