Chamber, Manchester partner to explore tourism in Wells County

Wells County Chamber and Economic Development is partnering with a Manchester University marketing research class as it explores the idea of how to increase tourism within Wells County.

Professor Sun J. Kang is leading an undergraduate class through the process of collecting, analyzing, interpreting and using industry data in a real-life setting.

“We are excited about this relationship with the University and Professor Kang’s class as they assist us in understanding the impact of tourism in Wells County,” said Chad Kline, executive director of Wells County Economic Development. “Manchester University has a highly recognized marketing program, so the fit was perfect for the class to take on this task with our organization.” 

“Tourism has a significant economic impact on a community,” Kline said. “As Wells County Chamber and Economic Development continues to develop programs to market our community, the tourism assets have been identified as one of those marketing pieces.” 

Manchester University senior Julia Brewer, of Decatur, recently completed a summer internship with the Wells County Chamber and Economic Development. Tourism was just one of many tasks that Brewer took on during her internship with the organization. 

Near the end of her internship, Brewer served as a liaison between the organization and Dr. Kang to set up a meeting on how the class could assist in providing market research for tourism.

“By working with clients, students not only develop their own research ideas but also their own research questions, methods and analysis to help client’s marketing questions,” Kang said.

He said students will reveal the final report in a presentation to the county’s chamber and economic development officers.

In the past, MU student research has involved Walmart inventory, student-athlete retention at Manchester and small businesses in the region. 

The marketing research course is offered once a year and for some students serves as an introduction to many methods involved, including sampling; designing surveys and experiments; and marketing prediction.

Manchester University, with campuses in North Manchester and Fort Wayne, Ind., offers more than 60 areas of academic study to 1,600 students in undergraduate programs, a Master of Science in Pharmacogenomics, a Master of Athletic Training and a four-year professional Doctor of Pharmacy.  Learn more about the private, northern Indiana school at www.manchester.edu.

October 2016