By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews.com
When visitors want information about Yachats, where should they go — to the Chamber of Commerce or the Visitor Center?
“Yes” is the answer, now that the two groups have once again joined forces downtown.
Thanks to an ad hoc joint venture between the chamber and the city’s marketing contractor/consultant, the cozy storefront in the C&K Plaza along U.S. Highway 101 now offers much more than maps and directions. Visitors can browse art and Yachats-themed merchandise by local vendors, in addition to the obligatory racks of maps, tourism brochures and business promotions from area chamber members.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day, shoppers can choose from paintings and photos by local artists, and products by local sellers, including hoodies, candles, coffee mugs, driftwood birdhouses, magnets and coasters. Also available are nylon reproductions of the popular banners that hang from streetlights each summer along the highway, plus a big selection of colorful greeting cards capturing banner images.
“This is a collaboration,” said visitor center marketing manager James Kerti, who had been working out of a small space in the pandemic-closed Commons building since last summer. Now he’s working with the chamber to “streamline and focus things so that there is one point of contact for people to get answers to their questions” about enjoying all that Yachats has to offer.
While Kerti won a two-year contract to run the city-funded center and guide tourism marketing last July, the lease on the office space next to C&K Market is held by the chamber. The chamber had held the city’s marketing contract for some 24 years. After Kerti got the contract last July, former City Manager Shannon Beaucaire declined the chamber’s offer to sub-lease the space.
Kerti, a former Yachats councilor and sports marketing consultant, is now subcontracting with the chamber, to “perform visitor center duties in the visitor center.” These duties include volunteering, answering questions in person and on the phone, and keeping tourism maps and brochures supplied. Day-to-day chamber operations are handled by Joan Davies, a former Yachats city manager and real estate broker.
For people looking online, the visitor’s center still has its own website, as does the chamber.
It was Kerti’s idea to combine his efforts with the chamber’s. In discussions with local leaders, he found the reaction was “pretty much universally positive.”
“Having one office in the Commons and one at the visitor center was a problem we wanted to solve,” said Kerti, who is now working mainly out of his home office. His former space in the Commons is being phased out, and will revert to the city.
Kerti continues to focus on marketing Yachats, and developing long-term marketing plans to “promote the city in a safe manner.” He also handles online operations (the city tourism website), plus social media and content creation, and managing advertising purchases.
The visitor center has 11 volunteers, and is looking for at least three more to staff all shifts. People interested can stop in between 10 am.-4 p.m., or email Kerti at info@discoveryachats.org; or phone 541-547-3530.
Local artists may also stop by the visitor center to inquire about having their works displayed.
