The City of Berea released some positive news regarding the fun and educational “LearnShops” the city hosts. Business and Tourism Program Manager Liz Todd reported the developments at the August 29 meeting of the Berea Tourism Commission, telling officials the LearnShops drew visitors from 14 states. In fact, just 18 percent of attendees were from Berea, according to Todd.
“We had people coming in from Arizona and Colorado and actually meet in Berea to take these classes. It was an opportunity to not only create together, but spend that quality time,” Todd said. “We love our Berea residents attending, but it’s also showing us that so many people traveled from outside the city limits, from out of state, to stay in our city, enjoying our restaurants and hotels.” Visitors came from Colorado, Arizona, Texas, Missouri, Florida, Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, South Dakota, and of course, Kentucky.
According to surveys received after the series concluded, LearnShop participants spent a lot of money in Berea. Eighty percent of out-of-state guests stayed in Berea a minimum of two nights, with the average participant lodging in town for three nights. At least one participant stayed for two weeks, Todd reported.
In terms of actual dollars spent, over 60 percent of participants reported they spent $500 or more while staying in Berea, 11 percent reported spending $200-299, while 24 percent spent $100-199, and three percent spent $50-99. All of those figures did not include lodging.
Over 270 advance orders were placed for tickets, and a total of 390 course tickets were sold. Thirty-one artisan instructors taught courses, offering 99 unique class sessions. Courses were staged at 10 venues around Berea, drawing participants from 133 different zip codes, Todd told the commission.
New instructors were popular with LearnShop participants, in addition to some local favorites. Blacksmithing instructor Jeff Farmer ranked at the top of tickets sold, followed by Paul R. Buhrmester’s gourd pyrography class, and Michelle Amos’ weaving course.
Mary Ann Woolery Bussey drew the highest gross sales teaching silk scarf dyeing, followed by Jeff Farmer’s blacksmithing classes, and Pat Sturtzel, who taught fabric dyeing.
Todd closed her report noting that the next round of workshops is just weeks away, beginning with Fork, Knife and Swoon, which is focused on utensil making and culinary arts.
More information on the upcoming fall LearnShops can be found at http://visitberea/learnshops
(photo courtesy of City of Berea)
