Star tips for profit - reach for the sky to boost your business!

Tourism businesses are being invited to tap into one of the North East's greatest natural assets – its starry night skies!  
 
Northumberland International Dark Sky Park is Europe's largest designated area of its kind and the North Pennines AONB has more Dark Sky Discovery Sites than anywhere else in the UK.  

Now more workshops are being staged this Autumn to help bed and breakfast, campsite and self-catering owners, inn and hotel managers, tour guides and anyone working in the visitor economy gear up to provide an unforgettable dark sky experience for customers.  
 
You will get tips on marketing and making yourself dark sky friendly, choosing and using equipment and weather permitting be able to view amazing stars and galaxies with a mini star party. There will also be on-going business support.  The first two pilot training days in the spring in Otterburn and Hamsterley earned great reviews:
 
"This was a truly inspiring evening. Everything was explained in layman's terms and so interesting."  
"Very helpful and enlightening."
"Excellent, thoroughly enjoyed - eager to further my knowledge."
"Like the mix of marketing advice and astronomy for beginners."
 
Get ready for the new stargazing tourism season as the skies darken in autumn with this new range of dates and locations.  Places are limited, so book early.
 
15 September, 2014.  7pm – 10pm Slaggyford, Northumberland (North Pennines AONB)
http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/star-tips-for-profit-workshop-slaggyford-cumbria-tickets-11556420565
 
16 September, 2014.  6pm – 9pm  Once Brewed, Northumberland
http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/star-tips-for-profit-workshop-once-brewed-tickets-11595397145
 
21 October, 2014.  6pm – 9pm Kielder Castle, Northumberland
http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/star-tips-for-profit-workshop-kielder-tickets-11556252061
 
27 October, 2014.  6pm – 9pm Elsdon, Northumberland
http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/star-tips-for-profit-workshop-elsdon-tickets-11649751721
 
28 October, 2014.  6pm – 9pm Bowlees, Newbiggin, County Durham (North Pennines AONB)
http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/star-tips-for-profit-workshop-newbiggin-tickets-11556157779
 
10 November, 2014. 6pm – 9pm Harbottle, Northumberland
http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/star-tips-for-profit-workshop-harbottle-tickets-11555700411
 
18 November, 2014. 2.30pm – 5.30pm Stonehaugh, Northumberland
 http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/star-tips-for-profit-workshop-stonehaugh-tickets-11649795853
 
11 November 2014, 6pm – 9pm Allendale, Northumberland (North Pennines AONB)
http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/star-tips-for-profit-workshop-allendale-tickets-11595407175
 
More information from Richard Darn
E:  richard@richarddarn.com

‘Star Tips for Profit’ is part of the Animating Dark Skies project, which has been match funded by Northumberland County Council, Northumberland National Park Authority, Kielder Water & Forest Park Development Trust, the Forestry Commission, Northumbrian Water, Kielder Observatory,  the North Pennines AONB Partnership, Durham County Council  and Newcastle University together with support from Northumberland Tourism.

This project is supported by The Rural Development Programme for England, for which DEFRA is the Managing Authority, part financed by The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Investing in rural areas.