(GENESEO, NY - November 10, 2010) The answer to that question was made clear at the Livingston County Chamber of Commerce Tourism Office 4th Annual Harvest Luncheon last Wednesday. If you thought 'motorcoach,' you are correct.

According to the featured guest speaker at the luncheon, Ms. Sharon Koning, President-Koning DayTours of Rochester it is an important distinction that clearly brings the thought of yesteryear's "buses" into the modern-day requirement of convenience and luxury in traveling via an ever popular mode of transportation.

The motorcoach tour world was primarily the topic of Ms. Koning's presentation to over ninety local tourism partners and supporters gathered for the tourism event. With the focus on "Motorcoach Business is Good for Your Business" the audience heard engaging antidotes about motorcoach travel and was schooled on some techniques for bringing a much-valued group, on average 40 visitors, to your business's front door. "Who wouldn't want thirty to fifty-five people with cash in hand dropping in for a visit and to shop?" stated Ms. Koning. The luncheon guests universally grinned at that thought.

The tourism office's intended motivation for Ms. Koning's presentation was to begin the thought process of understanding the value of motorcoach visitors to Livingston County's many attractions, retail shops, downtowns and innkeepers. Additionally, the local tourism office will hold workshops in mid-March of next year on the fine details of soliciting and bringing motorcoach group business to an establishment. Notes Lisa Burns, Livingston County Tourism Director, "Motorcoach business is viable and profitable in this vacation region and Livingston County is ready to reap the benefits." Sharon Koning will be the facilitator for the workshops.

The annual event also acknowledges the recipient of the William Pryor Letchworth Award for Excellence in Tourism. This year's award was presented to Rita Kanaley, proprietor of Country Junktion in Caledonia. Nominations were solicited and weighed against specific criteria by a volunteer tourism selection committee. Rita was surprised with the announcement while working at her store and invited to the formal presentation at the Harvest Luncheon. Ms Kanaley is a wholehearted advocate for the Caledonia community and has spearheaded many local and community events. "Trailways To Treasure" an extended 'garage sale' between Caledonia, Avon and Lima was her brain-child as is the semi-annual Peddler's Fair in Caledonia to name just two.

The William Pryor Letchworth Award honors the man whom the local tourism office refers to as "our first tourism advocate." The Letchworth family gave specific permission to the tourism office for the use of Mr. Letchworth's name.

Recognized along with Mrs. Kanaley were previous recipients of the prestigious honor. - Dorothy Hotchkiss, Dr. Gary Cox and Ms. Terry Mistretta.

The Livingston County Chamber of Commerce Tourism Office is responsible for marketing the virtues of Livingston County as a tourism destination. Interested community partners can contact the office by calling 585 243-2222 or by visiting www.FingerLakesWest.com