VISIT FROM JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY TO BODTO

Dear Members,

James Madison University, located in the state of Virginia, USA, organized a technical study visit to Bodrum to explore sales and marketing techniques across different cultures.

Following the success of last year’s visit, which included 25 students, this year’s program drew even greater interest — bringing a group of 30 Marketing Department students to Bodrum under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Timuçin Özcan and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gizem Atav.
As part of their itinerary, the group also visited the Bodrum Chamber of Commerce (BODTO).

The students first visited Ağanlar Shipyard, where they had the opportunity to observe boat manufacturing and marketing processes firsthand and received detailed information about production stages.
They then attended a meeting at BODTO, where they were given a presentation about Bodrum’s economic structure and local marketing practices.

The meeting opened with welcoming remarks from BODTO Vice Chairman Erdem Ağan, who introduced Bodrum and highlighted the diversity of the region’s economic sectors.
BODTO Board Member Ahmet Atilla Serttaş also contributed to the session, sharing insights from his experience in Bodrum’s entertainment industry and providing practical examples of sales and marketing strategies.

Serttaş noted:

“Competition is always at the door in sales and marketing. Good music, good service, and quality customer care are essential. The quality of the business is always the strongest form of competition. Sales begin where the customer says ‘no.’ The key is to establish the right communication with the customer and turn challenges into opportunities.”

Yiğit Girgin, Secretary General of the Bodrum Promotion Foundation (BOTAV), also joined the meeting, giving information about Bodrum’s promotional strategies and explaining that they are developing a new, holistic marketing plan for the region.

At the end of the visit, Prof. Dr. Timuçin Özcan and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gizem Atav expressed their gratitude to BODTO for its warm hospitality and the valuable insights shared during the session.

The James Madison University students stated that they were highly impressed by the friendliness of the local people and the high quality of service in Bodrum, adding that each day of the program was more rewarding than the last.
As part of their technical trip, the students also participated in a guided tour of the Bodrum Peninsula, visiting archaeological sites, shipyards, local product markets, and gastronomic venues, gaining a deeper understanding of the region’s cultural and economic dynamics.