DANVILLE — Those planning public events this year have a powerful resource in which to advertise them.

The Hendricks County Convention and Visitors Bureau is accepting submissions through Friday for its 2009 events guide brochure. Jaime Bohler Smith, HCCVB’s associate director, says 60,000 copies of the brochure are published and submitted to rest areas and visitor centers throughout central Indiana and the Midwest. Several thousand copies also are mailed to citizens in HCCVB’s database.

About 80 events were featured in the guide when the bureau first started publishing it. It has since expanded to include more than 100 listings. With more than 500 items on HCCVB’s online calendar, the organization has to prioritize what gets in the brochure. Signature events like North Salem Old Fashion Days and other annual town festivals, as well as target markets like history, education, cultural, family, and motorsports events, are priority.

“There’s lots of fantastic events in the county, but we try to pick those that have the most appeal to a visitor to put in the printed guide,” Bohler Smith said.

All submissions to the event guide must include the event name, date, time, location, contact, and brief description. Additional information such as admission charges also is appreciated.

Events may be submitted by calling HCCVB at 718-8750, faxing to 718-9913, or e-mailing community events manager Tracy Whetstone at tracy@tourhendrickscounty.com.

Items that aren’t included in the event guide are posted on HCCVB’s online calendar at www.tourhendrickscounty.com. Another website, www.hendrickscountycalendar.com, takes visitors directly to the calendar. Bohler Smith says there were about 90 events listed on the website when she started at HCCVB six years ago. The calendar has grown tenfold since then.

“It’s a real testament to our community that they have quality events they’re willing to share with the residents and visitors to the county,” Bohler Smith said.

Community event listings also are published in the Hendricks County Flyer and posted on the Flyer’s website, www.flyergroup.com. Call Wade Coggeshall at 272-5800 ext. 156 or e-mail wade.coggeshall@flyergroup.com to submit an event.

Bohler Smith is optimistic that tourism in Hendricks County will remain strong this year despite the economic downturn. HCCVB estimates more than $344 million is spent annually in the county as a result of tourism development and economic impact.

“Of course everyone will be touched by the economy, but we’re in a good position being in central Indiana, and having lots to offer,” Bohler Smith said. “We’re within a day’s drive of 80 percent of the U.S. population. We’re actually a pretty good value right now.”

More people are forgoing extended vacations by plane or car in favor of day trips and extended weekend jaunts.

“I think (more people) are looking to connect with the community and with the things we have,” Bohler Smith said. “They want to go to small towns and rural areas, hike a trail with their kids, go to a farm and see animals, see things they wouldn’t see in urban areas. We have a lot of opportunity to do that.”

Thanks to the new Indianapolis International Airport, Hendricks County also is in a special position to attract even more visitors and business.

HCCVB completed an eight-month study late last year on a new hotel/conference center near Interstate 70 and State Road 267. Working with Minnesota company Convention Sports and Leisure International, they determined such a venture has the potential to bring in an additional $20 million annually to the county. Such an operation would complement similar venues in Hendricks, such as the 4-H Fairgrounds and Primo.

Bohler Smith says HCCVB mailed about 300 letters last week to area developers requesting an expression of interest on the project.

“We’re excited,” she said. “We think we’ll be able to move forward on that this year as well.”

wade.coggeshall@flyergroup.com