Many cash-strapped consumers cut back on their vacation plans this summer and took their "staycations" to the extreme by just staying home and not doing much of anything. Now, it's early autumn, the weather's been pretty great, and the natives are restless!

Well, if you are a regular reader of my blogs, or even the articles I write for the Hudson Valley Business Journal, you already know that there are loads of amazing things to do here in the Hudson Valley.

Supermarket retailer, Target has taken notice of the staycation trend and has begun sponsoring art and culture events in cities including NYC, Boston and Miami. Their sponsorships range from free Friday night attendance at the Museum of Modern Art to the Oklahoma City Arts Council's Twilight Music series. Going out to art museums and performing arts events for day trips are a great way to find excitement when a larger scale vacation just doesn't fit the budget.

This is another example of how local sponsorships can prove to be a strong asset to your business and help enhance the community. Take a page out of Target's book and sponsor local youth and arts events. People are looking to get out and find fun, low cost things to do and they will remember your company for being the one that sponsored the event that allowed them to do it.

June Bisel
BBG&G Advertising, Inc.
junebisel@bbggadv.com
845-291-7399
Visit us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BBGGadv
BBGGadv.com

Labels: art events, daycation, marketing advice, sponsorships, staycation, summer

Back to school time is here. I know firsthand how much kids hate the audacity of marketers pushing back-to-school season earlier and earlier in the summer. Wal-Mart had back-to-school supplies fully stocked and displayed shortly after July 4th. At Wal-Mart, Independence Day meant just the opposite to students just beginning to enjoy their summer vacation.

For college-bound kids, back to school season means something very different than their younger counterparts. For many, it means moving out of the house again and back into the textbook jungle. This, like nearly everything else about our lives has become slightly soured by the recession. In fact, more students will be opting to stay home and commute to school this year. If a student is looking to save money, cutting out housing costs is a great way to do it.

This is an opportunity for retailers to profit by showing students that they understand what they are going through. I see an opportunity for businesses to allow students to Create Their College Workspace. Many students' bedrooms at home haven't been updated for a long time and are lacking the workspace function that would suit their current collegiate needs. Therefore, businesses can still sell desks, chairs, lamps, and organization materials that these young adults will need to create a college environment in their bedroom at home.

June Bisel
BBG&G Advertising, Inc.
Insight@bbggadv.com
845-291-7399
Visit us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BBGGadv
BBGGadv.com

Labels: age demographics, back to school, college spending, marketing advice, marketing opportunities, summer

On my last blog, I told you about my favorite indoor summer activity, playing pool. Another good idea for a fun event with friends or family is bowling. Putting on the goofy shoes and hurling a heavy ball down the lane is a sure way to brighten up a dull summer day or night. If your friends or family are looking for bowling in Middletown, Middletown Lanes is an exciting destination. Personally, I am not a bowling enthusiast but I`ve still had great fun just going to the bowling alley with friends as they bowl. Middletown Lanes has a snack bar called Perky`s and Sully`s that I usually go to for mozzarella sticks while I watch the guys try to hit the pins. There is also a bar for the over 21 crowd. From 3-5pm, the price for bowling is $3 plus a charge for shoe rental. After 5 o`clock, the open bowling rate goes up a dollar or two. You can call them at 845-343-8121 for detailed pricing information. Wednesday and Saturday nights are Cosmic Bowling nights. I have gone to Cosmic Bowling and although paying the cover charge when I don`t bowl usually peeves me, the night usually turns out to be fun anyway. The black lights go on, the music gets turned up and the party starts. It is a great way to spend a night with friends and meet new people in the club-like atmosphere created by the low lighting and popular music. Wednesday night is Ladies Night for Cosmic Bowling when ladies get in for $5, and guys get in for $10 and Saturday nights Cosmic Bowling is $15 for all.

Another great bowling alley to visit is Colonial Lanes in Chester, NY. With its colorful, vibrant décor, Colonial Lanes is as much fun to look at as it is to bowl. Adult weekday prices for a game are $4.50 per person, weeknight prices are $4.75 per person and weekend/holiday prices are $4.95. Shoe rental is an additional $2.75. Colonial Lanes offers a bowling special for every day of the week. Friday and Saturday nights are their Cosmic Bowling nights with a $16 cover charge that includes shoe rental and 3 hours of bowling. Friday nights, Cosmic Bowling goes from 10pm-1am and Saturday night, it lasts from 9pm-2am. Personally, my favorite bowling special of theirs is the Sunday’s `Dollar Night.` From 8-11pm, admission is $5, each game is $1, shoe rental is $1 and they feature a special $1 menu. With tables set up right by the lanes, Colonial Lanes makes it convenient to bowl over a bite to eat. Speaking of food, Colonial Lanes makes it worth the empty stomach to come hungry with GW`s Sports Grill. This is a full service restaurant with reasonable prices on a complete menu that includes hamburgers, wraps, soups and salads, steaks and ribs. Don`t forget Happy Hour Monday-Thursday, from 4-7pm, and 3-7pm on Friday. GW`s Sports Grill showcases live music on Friday and Saturday nights and staying true to its name, their 8 TV’s are always tuned in to your favorite sports. GW`s Sports Grill is a must see for anyone planning on bowling Colonial Lanes.

Leave a comment below and tell us about your favorite local bowling alley.

Justin Peele, Summer Intern
BBG&G Advertising
and BusinessCardContacts.com
845.695.1880
smartstrategies@bbggadv.com

Labels: bowling, chester, fun, lanes, middletown, orange county, shoes, summer

In the summer months of July and August, relaxation and time for venturing out of the house are plentiful. The summer heat of those months also brings the inclination to watch the hours drag by in front of the TV. Let`s face it. Nearly every show you watch can be seen online sometime later. Some of us can even Tivo them. Summer activities are often the reason you bought TiVo in the first place! But when its hot and humid and you`d much rather be inside, there are plenty of off-the-couch things to do in the Orange County Area. Finding things to do can be a bit frustrating without knowledge of what`s out there. Mustering up enough energy to peel away from the couch for an afternoon or evening will open up a world of opportunities for fun with friends and family.

One great activity to do with friends is shooting a couple of games of pool. Pool is a cool, casual game that guys and girls can both enjoy. Guys, don`t forget the classic, `Let me show you how to hold the cue` date move. Use with caution as it only works when it`s done properly.

A great place to play is Pop`s Pool Hall on Dolson Ave in Middletown formerly known as Classic Cue Billiards Club. Pop`s Pool Hall has recently moved from the old location on the second floor of the Playtogs plaza, to the building formerly occupied by Weidy`s Furniture Store. Although they are still renovating from their move into the new building, this is nothing like the shady, back-alley pool halls as seen on TV. Not what you think when remembering old episodes of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Family Matters. This is a family owned and operated billiards hall where you can take your family, or feel comfortable with your teenager and their friends going for a few games. I have gone to play pool plenty of times at Classic Cue at the old location. It has always been a fun thing to do with the guys, as well as with a girlfriend. I went to the new place with my girlfriend and a friend that came to visit from college, and it has the same charm as the original location. Although they have some work to do in polishing the aesthetics of the new place, it still has the same welcoming feel as it did in the old location. It costs just $6 per person/per hour on weekdays and $8 per person/per hour on weekends. Every Wednesday is Ladies night, when ladies play free when accompanied by a gentleman.
Do you know about any cool pool halls in your local area? If so, let us know!

Justin Peele, Summer Intern
BBG&G Advertising
and BusinessCardContacts.com
845.695.1880
smartstrategies@bbggadv.com

Labels: activity, classic cue, date, dolson, fun, hall, pool, summer