Western Downs Libraries workshops will benefit local businesses every day of the year

Western Downs Libraries are getting into the Year of Festivals spirit with a series of workshops aimed to help residents and businesses make the most of visitors to the region.

The workshops will help businesses and individuals build their skills and knowledge to attract a greater customer and clientele base — not just during our busy Festival times, but every day of the year for years to come.

Get Your Town on the Map workshops will teach businesses how to be front-and-centre on some of the most popular online travel resources like Google Maps and TripAdvisor.

They will help local businesses and services reap the full rewards through increased visibility online.

The other workshops will introduce Western Downs residents to the real-world treasure hunt of geocaching.

It will teach people how to place their own treasure — or caches — across the region and use GPS tracking to help visitors find hidden local gems and unique experiences.

Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Paul McVeigh said the workshops will help locals harness the economic benefits of tourism to the Western Downs.

“The Year of Festivals will bring thousands of visitors to the Western Downs this year and we want to show them all that we’re open for business,” he said.

“Get Your Town on the Map workshops will help our local businesses and industries expand their reach and really increase their tourism revenue — not just ahead of Big Skies, but also during our other major festivals like the Chinchilla Melon Festival, Opera at Jimbour, Tara Festival of Culture and Camel Races and Dalby’s Delicious and Delightful Festival.

“Geocaching will help to show visitors and residents alike just how much there is to do and see in the Western Downs and what a great place it is.”

The Geocaching workshops are suitable for families with children aged eight and above, however children under 15 years must be accompanied by a guardian.

To attend Geocaching you will need a smartphone with internet access. Get Your Town on the Map workshops will operate on a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) basis.

Get Your Town on the Map workshops will be held at Libraries in Dalby from 9am-11am on Monday 18 February; Tara from 1pm-3pm on Thursday 28 February; Chinchilla from 10am-12pm on Thursday 7 March; Wandoan from 5pm-7pm on Tuesday 12 March; Jandowae from 2pm-4pm on Tuesday 12 March; and Miles from 10am-12pm on Wednesday 13 March.

Geocaching workshops will be held at Libraries in Tara from 10am-11am on Saturday 23 February; Miles from 10am-11am Saturday 2 March; Chinchilla 10am-11am on Saturday 9 March; and Dalby 10am-11am on Saturday 16 March.

For more information or to book your spot, visit www.westerndownslibraries.com/.

— Ends — Media Contact: Sophie Volker           Senior Media Relations Officer                0419 048 594              4679 4137