State

Over Fifty Million First Impressions !\wrtli C arolina's oiglil welcome* centers now del a lot more* Ilian hand out literature. «1 / HICK IIYItl» Visitors traveling major highways into North Carolina from north, south and west are greeted at the state's eight wel¬ come centers. For 6 million to 7 million visitors a year this is the critical first impression of what the Tar Heel state has to offer. When North Carolina opened the first welcome center on 1-85 north near Norlina in 1968. the principal role of its attendants was merely to greet people and hand out information about the state. Now. over 50 million visitors later, the state’s family of welcome centers has grown to eight, and their role has changed to keep in step with the times. The sheer volume of visitors, sea¬ sonal trends, diversity of visitors by age and social background, and a growing international mix present a different profile of the welcome center visitor. The Travel Story Ms. Lynne Sizemore, who directs operation of the eight centers from her office in the Travel and Tourism Divi¬ sion. says staff members are now trained to do a variety «if things beyond Casl tn Slone Is the outline ol the Stale at Ihc Suny County center. Sue Baughcss. tell, and Louise Houston are members ot the tocal start The display IS made ot granite quarried in Surry. 8 distributing literature: they are equipped to provide emergency service such as CPR and first aid: they make a point to emphasize the importance til North Carolina artisans and their works: they provide tips for travelers with emphasis on local and state attrac¬ tions. and often plan trips for travelers (in North Carolina, of course): they are now making 11,000 and 13.000 reserva¬ tions a year at North Carolina motels and hotels. In addition, they take the North Car¬ olina travel story to schools, civic clubs, chambers of commerce and others. Welcome centers themselves have also changed. Still equipped with prac¬ tical information about the Tar Heel state, they are also homey, comfortable and attractive oases for visitors. All are furnished with North Carolina prod¬ ucts. A good example: the center on 1-77 north near the Virginia line in Surry County features furniture pieces made in Candler. Canton. Brasstown. Walnut Cove. Waynesville. Greenville. Casar. Winston-Salem and Dobson, the Surry County seat. Wall hangings (quilts) are from Char¬ lotte. rugs from Greensboro, pottery from Scagrovc. clock from Durham, dulcimer from Asheville. An imposing wall mural of North Carolina is made of ceramic, the work of Alice Proctor of Raleigh, an out¬ standing North Carolina artist. Outside the center is an outline of the State of North Carolina with major cities and topographical features— made of Mount Airy granite, of course. No Commercialism Ms. Sizemore says they have been successful in keeping the centers free of commercialization. "Nothing is sold in the center, except by vending machines in the restroom area, and these only to provide basic needs of the traveler." Staff members of the center, now called information specialists, arc care¬ fully chosen, for qualities of ex¬ perience. cordiality, public relations and selling abilities, good organiza¬ tional skills, and orientation toward people with flexibility and. above all. patience. Those selected are given on-site briefings on what North Carolina can prov ide the traveler. This includes field trips to major attractions around the state, as well as sound indoctrination on what is available locally. A speaking knowledge of North Carolina history is a must. “There's no question in my mind that we have some of the best people in the country: we consider them the state’s forward public relations group." says Ms. Sizemore, "and we are very con¬ scious of the fact that in many cases they give the critical first impression of North Carolina. We make sure it's the best impression possible." Travelers Changing Travelers and travel habits are chang¬ ing. More retired and elderly people are on the highways, singly and in tour Lynne Siacmore. Iclt. Hate director ol welcome centers, and Barbara Ford admire the ceramic piece in the Surry County center, done by North Carolina anist Alice Proctor. The chair is also a North Caro¬ lina product. Newest center Is on 1-77 South ol Charlotte. THE STATE. March 1987