Henderson County Tourism Update - Year of Innovation

Henderson County Tourism Conference Thursday January 25, 2018 Location: Blue Ridge Community College - Henderson County Campus Building: Blue Ridge Community College Conference Hall Cost: Complimentary due to sponsorship by Henderson County Tourism Development Authority and BRCC Small Business Center 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Conference Registration 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Welcome & Opening Comments; Mark Warwick, HCTDA Chairman Dr. Laura B. Leatherwood, President of Blue Ridge Community College 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Henderson County Tourism Update “The Year of Innovation”; Presenter: Beth Carden, HCTDA Executive Director Editorial/MediaUpdate Craig Distl, Distl PR & Leah Hughes 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Refreshment Break & Spotlight on Exhibitors/Co-Op Signup 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Keynote Address; Presenter: Sharon Decker, Chief Operations Officer of Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC); Kathryn McMann, Director of Community Engagement for TIEC. Description: INNOVATION: Creating a New Economic Engine 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Networking Lunch; Description: Meet & mingle with people in the industry while enjoying your lunch. Visit the many exhibitors and learn about new marketing opportunities. 1:00 p.m. – 2:00p.m. Concurrent Sessions: Choose One: Topic A: How to engage with TIEC Presenter: Kathryn McMahon, Director of Community Engagement for TIEC Topic B: Choosing the Right Photography to Promote your Business Presenters:Craig Distl, Owner Distl PR; Leah Hughes Topic C: Innovations in Cider - Cider Panel Panel Members: Brian Shanks, Bold Rock Hard Cider; Allen Ward, Appalachian Ridge Artisan Cider; Jim Sparks, Flat Rock Ciderworks. Description: Panel members discuss the exciting rise in use of local apples in locally produced hard ciders 2:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Refreshment Break & Spotlight on Exhibitors / Co-Op Signup 2:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Concurrent Sessions: Choose One Topic D: Presenter: Dr. Kelly, Director of Henderson County Cooperative Extension Topic E: Presenter: Darlene Das, Motivational Speaker & Author Topic F: Why Greenways? ; Presenters: Katie Breckheimer & Suzanne Hale, Friends of the Oklawaha Greenway Description: Tourism is a pillar of Hendersonville’s economy. Studies show that greenways encourage tourist visits, extend stays and promote return visits. They generate enough new economic activity to cover their cost. Hendersonville competes for tourist dollars with destinations like the Outer Banks, Saint Simon’s Island, Vail and Jackson, Wyoming, all of which have extensive greenway systems. Three major greenways are being proposed for Henderson County. These 45 miles of connected trails would attract new tourists; tourists who are likely to stay longer and return more often. 3:15 p.m. Adjourn

Speaker(s): Beth Carden, Craig Distl, Leah Hughes

Co-Sponsor(s): Henderson County Tourism Development Authority and BRCC Small Business Center

Fee: No Cost