If It’s Good Enough for a President It Must be Good

Soaring heat in Louisville today, with temperatures expected to reach 100. Yesterday, however, I was at a spot in the Adirondacks where there was a record low of 36 and the makings of a truly remarkable location:  White Pine Camp. Once used by President Coolidge as a retreat, the owners of this spectacular “camp” have managed to create a truly remarkable experience that, based on marketing theory, does, indeed sell itself.

Self selection is how folks get there, and referrals. No TV, no cell phone access, just pure nature and rustic accommodations with touches of luxury where needed.  So how do they market? Catering to the high end travel and leisure business they invite the travel writers to come and visit and then just let them experience it. They provide excellent services and accommodations to their guests, and the property manager makes certain that guests know what they are in for prior to booking. It certainly is not for every vacationer, as this is a place where one can be inactive as possible (picture book at lake with view), but also highly active with kayaking, canoeing, hiking and exploring the countryside. There are no locks on the cabins. Nothing unsafe in the area (except for moose and bear) and no reason for alarms or calendars.

This is one of those truly remarkable places/products/services of which I often times write. Give folks something truly remarkable and the telling of that story is easier. On a side note, it was Coolidge who provided one of my favorite quotes, “ Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “press on” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race”.