CULLOWHEE — An all-day conference at Western Carolina University next month will take a closer look at the connection between healthy downtown districts and tourism in the state’s 26 westernmost counties.
Presented by the WCU College of Business, the third-annual LEAD: Tourism conference will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Ramsey Regional Activity Center.
“Much of the tourist spending and activity in Western North Carolina revolves around small rural towns,” said Steve Morse, director of WCU’s Hospitality and Tourism Program and organizer of the conference. “To attract tourists, many small towns have enhanced and developed their main streets and surrounding areas to increase tourist spending that supports new business, jobs and significant investment in rural downtown districts.”
Topics will include economic development strategies for downtown revitalization, best practices for small town main street development, things tourists are looking for in downtowns, as well as turning local assets into community pride and tourist spending, understanding the economic power of authenticity and the role of the creative arts in downtowns.
Scheduled speakers for the event include U.S. tourism and destination marketing expert Berkeley Young; community economic development expert and HandMade in America founder Becky Anderson; Liz Parham and Sherry Adams from the N.C. Main Street Center; former Georgia Main Street director Billy Parish; and George Brown, dean of WCU’s College of Fine and Performing Arts.
The event is expected to attract elected and appointed government officials, tourism representatives, economic development organizations, chambers of commerce and owners of private sector businesses in the hospitality and tourism industry.
The last tourism conference attracted approximately 200 attendees.
Cost to attend the LEAD:Tourism conference is $99. The ticket price includes lunch and free customized tourism economic fact sheets.
For information or to register, visit tourism.wcu.edu or contact the Division of Educational Outreach at 828-227-7397 or toll-free at 800-928-4968.
The event is being sponsored by Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, Duke Energy, the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, Nantahala Outdoor Center and Smoky Mountain Host.
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