Patrick Tourism Professional Attend Economic Conference May 19-20
May 28, 2008
On May 19 and 20, 2008, three Southwest Virginia non-profit organizations, 'Round the Mountain, The Crooked Road and Appalachian Sustainable Development, hosted "Building a Creative Economy in Southwest Virginia".
Patrick County Tourism Professionals Attend Economic Conference
This conference, subtitled "Arts, Culture and Sustainable Development, was held at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, Abingdon, Virginia.
Although Tom Bishop, Executive Director of the Patrick County Chamber of Commerce and Lisa Martin, Program Coordinator of Reynolds Homestead were the only Patrick County officials to attend the conference, Patrick County was also represented by three volunteers. Charlotte Gardner attended the conference as a Chairman of the Patrick County Tourism Advisory Council and representative of Bull Mountain Arts. Leslie Shelor, who owns a business, Greenberry House, is also a member of the Tourism Advisory Council and the Patrick County Chamber of Commerce Board. She was also asked to demonstrate in the Appalachian Cultural Showcase and attended Monday's sessions. Tom Pickett, owner of Pickett's Thicket, attended the conference due to his involvement with Floydfest and other tourism activities. Sue Shelor of Mountain Meadow Farm and Craft Market and "Corn Acoustics!" Corn Maze was also featured as an artisan in the Artisan's Marketplace on Monday.
The conference showcased the efforts and achievements of 'Round the Mountain,The Crooked Road and Appalachian Sustainable Development in the on-going project to sustain a creative economy in southwest Virginia. The term "creative economy" describes economic development strategies that cultivate home grown businesses that build on the cultural, artistic and natural assets of a region. The remarks of the Opening Plenary on Monday, which included remarks by Senator William Wampler and Congressman Rick Boucher, were accompanied by music from musicians from The Crooked Road. Master of Ceremonies Joe Wilson introduced the speakers, including Todd Christensen, who described the importance and strategy of Heartwood, the planned Southwest Virginia's Artisan Gateway to 'Round the Mountain's work to bringing tourism visitors into the counties of Southwest Virginia on community loop trails. Jim Baldwin, who spoke about The Crooked Road's achievements and unveiled the new Crooked Road brochure, which features Patrick County in a two-page spread describing the music and businesses available to tourists in the area. Woody Crenshaw spoke on the development of 'Round the Mountain and introduced a film describing the Southwest Virginia Artisan's Guild goals and achievements.
The representatives of Patrick County then attended several sessions on various subjects important to the development of artisan and tourism initiatives. Subjects covered included "Creativity to Profitability", Harmonizing Downtowns" "Getting There from Here" (explaining 'Round the Mountain's artisan loop project), and "Bringing the World to The Crooked Road". The volunteers and representatives were kept busy making notes and absorbing information that will be helpful in the agencies and councils efforts to promote tourism in Patrick County. The evening's activities included demonstrations by local artisans, including Leslie Shelor of Greenberry House and Sue Shelor of Mountain Meadow Farm and Craft Market and performances by musicians of The Crooked Road.
During Tuesday's opening ceremonies, Governor Tim Kaine spoke about the importance of tourism to Virginia's future. To me, there are three kinds of tourism – historic, culture and natural beauty – and Southwest Virginia has all three,� he said. “A creative economy is designed to supplement and expand the traditional economy.� Kaine, who spoke at the first such conference two years ago, praised local efforts to expand tourism by combining the region’s music, heritage and other cultural assets. “By working together, you can be so much greater than you can be on your own,� the governor said. Tuesday's sessions, attended by Patrick County representatives, included "Creating Synergy Through Marketing Partnerships", Sustainable Development Enterprises", "Sculpting Rural Economies" and "The Next Generation: Young Entrepreneur and Green Businesses".
Over two hundred state and local business and government leaders attended the conference, along with a number of artisans and musicians of Southwest Virginia.