"I spent my childhood summers in the Wildwoods because we had family here. When I was in college, I landed an internship at the local paper, the Wildwood Leader, and shortly after I graduated, I returned to the Wildwoods to work and live," explained Yecco, who grew up in Burlington County. "Many of my friends in the Wildwoods were born and raised in the resort. I chose to live here because I loved it. I still do.

"One of the greatest things about the Wildwoods is the community itself. There’s a strong sense of tradition in the Wildwoods, and few other places have such a celebrated history. People who visit in the summer ask me what it’s like to live here year-round, and I tell them that the Wildwoods are a wonderful, close-knit community."

Several years ago, Yecco, who had been a newspaper reporter in the resort for many years, started a public relations firm with two partners. "At the time, when we started Write Impressions, we assessed whether there would be enough business for us in the Wildwoods and surrounding communities. We decided to take the chance on a small business because we were certain that the economic climate in the Wildwoods was on an upswing. As it turns out, we were right, and we have more than enough business to keep myself and my two partners busy," she said. "We plan on expanding our firm’s services and facilities in the very near future."

The Wildwoods are on pace to get a new, $70 million convention center in 2001. The entity that is responsible for getting the project on track, the Greater Wildwood Tourism Improvement and Development Authority, is also charged with marketing and advertising the resort.

"What GWTIDA has done is taken the lead on promoting the Wildwoods as a tourism and convention destination. Island-wide marketing efforts were first thought about more than 25 years ago, but it took until the past decade and the establishment of GWTIDA before any substantial efforts could be made. To have such a service, that is advantageous for every business and every taxpayer in the Wildwoods, is an extraordinary benefit. What’s more, the advertising and promotional efforts by GWTIDA don’t just focus on conventions or the Boardwalk, they help promote the island’s downtown and events that occur all over the resort."

As a youth, Yecco would spend her days on Wildwood’s world-famous beach, and the evenings on Pacific Avenue, most of which is now the Holly Beach Station Mall. "The Wildwoods were an exciting place to be back then, and economically, the entire resort was thriving. Most of my time as an adult in the Wildwoods has been during an economically trying time. As a reporter I’ve been able to watch closely as the community tried to kick-start itself. At times it was frustrating to watch the island I call ‘home’ in an downward turn, but, by the same token, it’s gratifying to watch as the resort of the Wildwoods has pulled itself up by its bootstraps and is coming back. There have been no quick fixes here. The business community and the governmental leaders have worked hard and have endured difficult times to put us where we are – at the beginning of a renaissance. It’s exciting to be a part of a resort on the comeback. For anybody who asks, I say put your money on the Wildwoods.

"The Wildwoods are where I have chosen to do business and raise my family. The strong sense of community found here is rare indeed, and the persistence displayed by the residents and business owners who remained here during the difficult times will surely soon pay off. I’m counting on it. I want my children, if they so choose, to have a myriad of possibilities open to them in the Wildwoods.

"I believe in the Wildwoods!"

One of the Wildwoods’ Truest Believers

Jeannine Yecco
Partner, Write Impressions