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The MBBN
About the Mountain Bike Business Network In 2001 the Forestry Commission in Scotland started laying the groundwork for what has become one of the biggest outdoor attractions in Scotland – the 7stanes mountain bike trails.
These trails are now widely acknowledged as the world’s best outside North America and offer over 160km of forest biking with trails for all ages and abilities.
It is estimated that the 7stanes in Dumfries and Galloway attracted over 200,000 visitors who spent in excess of £4.6million in 2007 / 08 and these numbers are expected to continue to rise.
With five of the 7stanes located in the region - and a sixth excellent facility at Drumlanrig Castle to the north of Dumfries – Dumfries and Galloway is in line to attract many of these visitors and businesses must be ready to make the most of the opportunities this presents.
That’s where the Mountain Bike Business Network (MBBN) comes in.
The Network offers its members:
- Marketing connection to the internationally recognised 7stanes brand
- Participation in a marketing campaign to attract new mountain bikers to the area – including direct mail, e-marketing, press, PR and web marketing
- Networking opportunities
- Familiarisation visits with other mountain biking centres
- Membership access to the 7stanes.com website – the only commercial website to have direct links from the official Forestry Commission Scotland 7stanes.gov.uk site which currently receives over 300,000 hits every year
In September 2009 the MBBN employed a project manager, Tracey McNeish, who will develop links with existing members while actively recruiting new ones. She will also work with public sector partners and other relevant groups in Dumfries and Galloway and beyond. In addition Tracey will manage marketing initiatives and investigate potential sources of future funding.
The appointment of the project manager was made possible by the hard work of the MBBN committee and members who secured funding from Leader, Scottish Enterprise, the Forestry Commission Scotland and Dumfries and Galloway Council of up to £100,000.
This money will be used to establish the mountain bike trails and the sport of mountain biking in Dumfries and Galloway as amongst the best in the world, whilst helping to strengthen the 7stanes brand in a global marketplace.
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