South Carolina's Outdoor Connection

The Top 10 Reasons to Join Our Organization

Networking

Opportunities abound at the annual conference and travel shows held throughout the year to meet fellow professionals in the same line of work.

As many of our members are small businesses, it is often difficult to connect and engage with others in the nature-based industry. Our events give you the opportunity to share your stories and hear about the success and challenges of your peers.

Publications – Ours & Yours

The South Carolina Nature-Based Tourism Association (SCNBTA) rack brochure is used as a direct marketing piece. Distribution includes S.C. Welcome Centers, and SCNBTA members.

At trade shows, events and festivals, we hand out our SCNBTA business cards with a QR code that takes visitors directly to this website.

The state’s nine Welcome Centers are located at key entry points to the state plus one situated on a key visitor corridor in Orangeburg County along I-95 southbound. These facilities areopen 361 days a year. Annually, more than 2,083,000 visitors are served by our welcome centers. 

Collectively the 11 regions representing all areas of the state and know as the South Carolina Association of Tourism Regions (SCATR). Some maintain welcome or visitor centers in their respective destinations. In many cases, they have relationships with their local chambers of commerce or convention and visitors bureaus and encourage them distribute our rack brochure, too.

SCNBTA covers the cost of creating those marketing materials, saving you money but giving visitors the ability to connect with you via our website.

Our website’s “Brochures” page provides our members the opportunity to share their rack card or brochure with consumers who can view online or download a low resolution file (specification details available in the members area or thru our membership committee).

Website

The South Carolina Nature-Based Tourism Association (SCNBTA) website, www.SCNatureAdventures.com, is a tremendous marketing tool.

In fall 2019, we began a thorough process to reevaluate the effectiveness or our website. In doing so, we involved past, present and future leadership. As part of this project, we made a major shift in how we serve outdoor enthusiasts. Our website is now positioned to be the outdoor recreation authority for the entire state of South Carolina. In making this change, our website now features an expansive list of places where adventure seekers can engage with nature. In addition, we are now proactively gathering email addresses of consumers to further stay in touch.

The state tourism research shows that …

  • The primary trip purpose In-State Leisure Travel in South Carolina (as of July 2019) for 21% of the respondents was outdoor recreation, 37% other pleasure/personal and 42% entertainment/sightseeing.
  • The primary trip purpose for Total Domestic Travel in South Carolina (as of July 2019) for 12% of the respondents was outdoor recreation, 19% other pleasure/personal, 15% entertainment/sightseeing and visit friends/relatives 38%.

We believe that some guided nature-tours are counted in the entertainment/sightseeing category and some outdoor activities are pursued while visitors are with family and friends.

For members, the new website will provide the ability to add/edit listings, showcase an image of their business, along with a favorite testimonial. More importantly, members can add special deals to generate traffic during the low season. Also, an events calendar will now provide members the ability to promote upcoming events to our website users.

To assist in networking, a members-only area will allow you to see each member’s contact information.

The website showcases a blog and service provider members are being asked to contribute blogs with helpful content (vs. a sales push) for consumer outdoor enthusiasts.

Partnerships

Partnerships with state agencies and regional organizations such as S.C. Parks, Recreation & Tourism, S.C. Department of Natural Resources, S.C. Sea Grant Consortium, and S.C. Association of Tourism Regions (SCATR) have been forged to strengthen SCNBTA’s efforts for a sustainable nature-based tourism industry in South Carolina.

Industry Trends

Representatives from the South Carolina Nature-Based Tourism Association (SCNBTA) often attend the South Carolina Governor’s Conference on Tourism and Travel. This conference provides industry information and networking opportunities.

Additionally our members have participated in the Outdoor Economy Conference, a multi-state event of like-minded individuals and members seeking to gain recognition that we are a driving force in popular and rural destinations.

Our members-only area provides a library of resources with research studies by national organizations and other relevant industry materials, such a state tourism research that highlights out-of-state and in-state tourism statistics relative to outdoor recreation.

Proactivity

Our state’s quality of life isn’t just a matter of chance, and the development of the area’s tourism economy doesn’t just happen. Your membership supports work to proactively help make South Carolina the best state to live, learn, work, and play!

Referrals

South Carolina Nature-Based Tourism Association (SCNBTA) members regularly refer visitors to other SCNBTA members.

It’s a fact; members who are familiar another members products and services are more likely to refer them business.

Annual Conference

One of the best opportunities to meet and get to know other members is at our annual conference. Highlights include field study activities and a slate of fantastic presenters.

Field study means, conference attendees are able to get out, explore and discover the destination hosting the conference to see and experience for his or her self that region’s outdoor activities, a side benefit is the networking that also occurs.

Our members-only area also keeps the PowerPoint presentations, when available, and handouts from our conference speakers for you to refer to long after the event is over.

Representation

The South Carolina Nature-Based Tourism Association (SCNBTA) hosts booths at events throughout the state, such as the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition and the Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic. Both events in occur during a slower season.

Members and outdoor enthusiast volunteers are asked to man our booth. You can gain the side benefit of meeting and listening to consumers in attendance and sharing what our organization does, and the services you offer without paying the cost of a booth and related expenses.

The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE), the largest event of its kind, is held over three days in mid-February in Charleston. It showcases wildlife and nature through fine art, conservation education and sporting demonstrations. More than 40,000 people attend annually. The booth fee is paid by SCNBTA.

The Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic is held at the State Fairgrounds in Columbia in late March each year. It is reputed to be the premier hunting, fishing and conservation show. In 2019, more than 37,000 people attended the event. The booth fee is paid by SCNBTA and parking passes are included for those working our booth.

Affordability

At a price of only $4.17 per month for businesses or only $2.09 per month for individuals, you can enjoy your membership in the SCNBTA and all the benefits it provides. Being a member of the SCNBTA is simply one of the smartest decisions in terms of money well spent!

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