MILTON, PA - In early December, the Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau (SRVVB) welcomed a record number of attendees to its annual Elected Officials Luncheon, held at Rusty Rail Brewing Company in Mifflinburg. The annual event provides an opportunity for SRVVB staff to introduce newly elected area officials to the work of the Visitors Bureau and to highlight the significant role tourism plays in the regional economy across Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties.
“According to data compiled by the Pennsylvania Office of Tourism, visitor spending contributed $469.5 million to the tri-county economy in 2024,” shared Interim Director Judy Machesic. “With an impact of that magnitude, tourism is an essential part of the local economic equation. The SRVVB team works to promote and leverage the region’s tourism assets to drive visitation—and more importantly, tourism spending—into the area. We also empower residents, businesses and stakeholders to share positive regional messaging, supporting the collective efforts of the SRVVB.”
During the luncheon, Machesic outlined the SRVVB’s comprehensive tourism marketing initiatives, which include:
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Curating and optimizing content on VisitCentralPA.org
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Promoting partner events through the website and social media
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Maintaining robust organic and paid marketing on Facebook and Instagram
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Hosting travel influencers to experience and share regional stories
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Capturing photos, videos and storytelling assets for future marketing campaigns
“The SRVVB team works diligently to stay informed about evolving marketing technologies and strategies and to implement those tactics throughout the year,” said Machesic. This ongoing effort is supported through partnerships with regional and national tourism organizations such as the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association (PRLA), the Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance (MATPRA), and Destinations International. In addition, the SRVVB Board places a strong emphasis on professional development, ensuring staff stay current with trends in tourism and marketing. Machesic shared that the SRVVB marketing team plans to attend a national tourism marketing conference again in 2026, and that the Board is supporting her goal of earning the Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) credential through Destinations International within the next two years.
At the start of the luncheon, SRVVB Board President Amber Guerrero introduced the Board of Directors and highlighted the collective expertise of the Board and staff, along with their shared commitment to the Bureau’s mission. The Board continues to serve as an oversight body and a strategic sounding board for future marketing initiatives.
“The Board and staff of the SRVVB represent residents and employees from across our three-county region,” Machesic noted. “We share a deep passion for this area and work collaboratively to support regional economic development through tourism marketing.”
“While promoting the region’s assets to visitors and residents alike, we also encourage collaboration among attractions, event organizers and local stakeholders,” Machesic added. “When we work together for the benefit of the region, amazing things happen. We are a tourism destination, and that message continues to grow as we collectively share everything we love about the Susquehanna River Valley.”
Click here to view the presentation from the Elected Officials Luncheon.
