Discover Gilbert, the tourism arm of the Gilbert Office of Economic Development, is launching satellite visitor resources, called "Discovery Centers," at key attractions this season.

Discover Gilbert teamed up with museum staff at HD South and the team at Why I Love Where I Live Gilbert, located at Epicenter in the Agritopia develoopment, to host Discovery Centers inside each locale serving north Gilbert and south Gilbert audiences.

The centers began welcoming visitors Jan. 28, recognized as "National Plan for Vacation Day."

Through partnerships with area attractions, visitors to Gilbert can gather more information for trip planning and guidance on booking experiences. At the same time, they can browse itineraries and get insights on things to do and events from trained concierges.

Discover Gilbert organized ambassador training for employees at both locations, highlighting Gilbert's history, visitor-centered products and experiences, and regional promotion of the parks and outfitters that provide direct access to popular desert activities surrounding the East Valley.

“We often receive feedback from guests and hotel partners that out-of-town visitors are seeking more information when they are here, and we lack a physical location for them to visit and get those coveted insights on what to see and do from locals,” Glenn Schlottman, Discover Gilbert's tourism program manager, said in a release. “The Discovery Centers align with the tourism strategic plan initiative of fostering ambassadorship with Gilbert businesses, and this community outreach effort blends seamlessly into the business models of each location.

'We have augmented the traditional model of a visitor resource center, and we are meeting our community and visitors where they are, bringing information resources to them. In return, the Discovery Centers support increased traffic at some of Gilbert’s most notable attractions — Agritopia and the Gilbert Historical Museum — during our peak visitation period."

The Discovery Centers will be open during regular operating hours at each location. Services offered include information gathering, official Discover Gilbert visitor guides, printed maps, itineraries, concierge services, and recommendations.

To support the launch, Discover Gilbert is hosting a "Love Letters from Gilbert" event the week of Feb. 10, leading into Valentine’s Day, also regarded as Arizona Statehood Day. Visitors to the Discovery Centers can send custom postcards to friends and family.

In addition, Valentine’s Day specials and retail offerings are featured on the Shop Gilbert digital passport. This mobile phone-based passport highlights 50+ Gilbert small businesses and rewards participants with prizes and discounts; online registration is available at www.discovergilbert.com/shopgilbert.