When visitors and tourists walk into the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce, their most frequent request is for a map of Plant City.
The chamber has a few maps, but the supply is dwindling. And some of the information on the maps is outdated. The current maps were printed in 2009, and the chamber used to publish new maps every five years.
“It’s time to do an updated map, and we’ll probably go every two years from now on,” Marion Smith, president of the chamber, said.
Although the use of a GPS can help visitors find a specific location or business, the chamber’s maps are popular for those who just want to walk around the town. There are also a number of people, usually of the older generation, who feel more comfortable using a paper map.
Smith said that among the chamber office, City Hall and the tourist information center on Park Road, 48 maps are distributed each week on average.
The brochures also include phone numbers for a number of helpful organizations and city departments, and a general calendar of annual events. Some of this information is out-of-date. For example, the brochure lists “future” dates for the Florida Strawberry Festival, from 2009 to 2013.
The chamber of commerce has worked with Heron Publishing since 1991, for its directory, maps and website. Heron Publishing will be creating the new maps, the first 5,000 of which are expected to be delivered around the end of May.
“Traditionally, maps have a reputation of being difficult to fold and handle. We have improved the design for easier handling,” Maria Kretschmar, a spokeswoman for Heron Publishing said.
She said the new design will also give greater visibility to the advertisements featured in the brochure.
Heron Publishing, based in Spring Hill, serves and is a member of 25 chambers of commerce throughout Florida.
“We are very proud to work with chambers of commerce and their members,” Kretschmar said. “They are the business cornerstone of their community.”
Smith is currently organizing sponsors and advertisers for the new maps. To inquire about being included, contact the chamber at (813) 754-3707.
“It’s nice that we can offer our visitors this product for free,” Smith said.
Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver.com.