Promoting Holmes County and Amish Country is a daunting task, so two main entities uniting only enhances the big picture of what Holmes County presents.
The two organizations that have united are the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau and Behalt, two area juggernauts that see plenty of visitors stopping in to ask questions and seek information.
The chamber has recently developed a presence at Behalt, expanding its ability to reach visitors in a new way.
Tiffany Gerber, executive director of the chamber, said the conversation between herself and Yoder about partnering together began as a simple discussion that eventually grew into more than just an idea.
“We talked about how to not only support those who walked into our doors here at the chamber in downtown Millersburg, but for those whose vision of what Amish Country looks like were coming in out on that side of the county,” Gerber said.
At the time Behalt was making some physical changes to its interior, and there was a vacant kiosk area from a third party that became available.
Gerber said it was a natural fit, one that didn’t require a lot of changes to Behalt and one that would allow visitors coming into the area on Saturday to connect with the chamber as well as Behalt because the chamber isn’t open Saturdays.
The chamber paid for some repainting, a new sign and a large brochure rack of their own. The dedicated area is straight back from the main entrance where some retail merchandise also is available.
More importantly, it gave the chamber a new voice, one steeped in the customs, traditions and history of the Amish and Anabaptist faith and stories that could expand on what the chamber already offered.
“That’s their wheelhouse, so there was absolutely no training involved,” Gerber said of the Behalt staff. “It was such an ideal fit, and we quickly went from conversation to reality.”
Gerber said the chamber does support Behalt financially through the partnership, something she said they were pleased to do considering the many benefits the chamber receives through the partnership.
She said having a whole new team of greeters welcoming visitors has already become a benefit.“We call them our East Information Center,” Gerber said. “People can now find the chamber’s benefits in a whole new way, and it addresses one of the challenges with the physical location when people come looking for Amish Country.”
Gerber also said the new visitors guide will include the location and should continue to grow.
Marcus Yoder, executive director of Behalt, said it was Gerber who came up with the idea of banding together to form this collaborative effort.
“It was really keen insight on Tiffany’s part to think about doing something together,” Yoder said.
Yoder said they discussed a number of different options and objectives including the chamber having an office in Behalt.
Instead, they chose to simply create a corner space in the museum devoted to the chamber, as well as allowing the chamber to park their traveling trailer it takes to shows throughout Ohio in the Behalt parking lot as advertisement.
The partnership has allowed the chamber and Behalt to branch out together in assisting travelers who visit Holmes County and Amish Country to explore the tourism industry, the beauty and serenity of the countryside, and the faith of the Amish people.
“This partnership is something that will benefit everyone, from the chamber and us to the people who visit our county to learn more about the Anabaptist people and the Amish culture,” Yoder said. “When the chamber sends people over to us, our staff knows a little better and more in-depth the story and where to send them based on what they want to experience. That’s something we do with a lot of people.”
Yoder said the idea is to invite visitors to share with his staff what they enjoy and want to experience from their visit and then design a trip that will fulfill those desires.
Yoder said Behalt is planning to work even more extensively in the future with the chamber, including a guest registry.
In addition, when the Behalt staff is slow in the winter, he said they will explore other areas where they can assist the chamber, such as stuffing envelopes.
“It’s been a real joy to work together,” Yoder said. “This relationship is very special to us. It really brings both sides of the county together. One of the things that Holmes County does so well that many communities don’t do is to work across boundaries.”
He said people tend to think of the Amish community as isolated and singular to their faith, but Yoder said the Amish and English have learned over the years to work together in harmony, working hand-in-hand to enhance the entirety of the county while developing wonderful relationships.
Gerber said it was a win-win for everyone, from those promoting the county to visitors who come to Amish Country to experience the beauty and serenity of the area.
