The marketing secrets of Stonehenge

Earlier today I was riding my Goldwing motorcycle back home to Charlottesville, VA (USA) after visiting a customer in Blacksburg, VA (hey, we all have to conserve gas and save money somehow). Becoming a bit tired of the monotony of riding with the trucks on I-81, I decided to take parallel Route 11 to take in a bit of scenery and local flavor.

As I was enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains near Natural Bridge, VA, I suddenly passed something that grabbed my attention and compelled me to turn around and get a better look.

Alas, I had discovered "Foamhenge" and re-connected with a true American marketing phenomenon known as The Roadside Attraction.



Roadside attractions are great examples of creative marketing. These often odd attractions are just wild and zany enough to get weary travelers to stop and spend time and money in a locality. Targeted just perfectly to people driving along a road looking for adventure and a bit of a rest, roadside attractions give people something to enjoy while arming them with great stories to tell about their travels. These things, when done right, garner great word of mouth marketing.

As we in America begin another summer vacation season this weekend, I'm announcing "The 2006 Great American Roadside Attraction Marketing Contest". Let's honor the great American marketers who build and operate roadside attractions.

Send your stories and photos of your favorite roadside attractions this summer along with critical analysis from a marketing perspective. Tell us why you thought they were brilliant marketing and examine how effectively they market locations and promote tourism. I'm not sure what prize the winner will get yet, but I'll think of something. At the very least the winner will be featured on this blog along with their story and photos of the winning attraction.

As we begin another summer season, let us not forget the real meaning of Memorial Day next Monday. Memorial Day is a day to remember those who have died in our nation's service. We should be ever mindful of those who made the ultimate sacrifice so we can enjoy our freedom.

And if you just happen to be driving through Virginia this summer, The National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, VA is a great place to honor some of those who died in service to our great country.

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/VANATfoamhenge.html
http://www.naturalbridgeva.com
http://www.dday.org