Visit Mountaineer Country Tourism Summit
Name:
Visit Mountaineer Country Tourism Summit
Date:
May 5, 2025
Time:
8:30 AM - 3:40 PM EDT
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Event Description:
8:30 - 9:30 a.m.Registration, Breakfast & Networking
Enjoy a light breakfast and coffee provided by Portland Coffee, explore our sponsor tables and network with peers prior to the start of the summit.
9:30 - 10:10 a.m.Opportunities and Outcomes: Tourism Partnerships that Pay Off
Susan Riddle, Visit Mountaineer Country CVB
Unlock the hidden potential of your business by leveraging Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) resources! In this session, discover how to transform CVB connections into powerful marketing and networking opportunities. Learn insider strategies for promoting your business, accessing targeted marketing support, and connecting with key tourism professionals. Whether you're a small business owner, hospitality expert, or local entrepreneur, this presentation will provide actionable insights to help you maximize your visibility and growth potential in the tourism marketplace.
10:10 - 10:40 a.m.Workforce and the Future of West Virginia Tourism
Chelsea Ruby, WV Department of Tourism
We are excited to Welcome Back, Secretary of Tourism Chelsea Ruby, as our Keynote Speaker. As the state's Tourism Secretary, Ruby will share insights into developing the next generation of tourism professionals and highlighting West Virginia's remarkable growth and potential. This session will also reveal practical strategies for leveraging state-level resources to maximize your tourism potential and stimulate the tourism economy in WV.
10:40 - 11:25 a.m.Networking Speed Dating
Ready, set, connect! Experience a fun and efficient way to meet dozens of new contacts in a short amount of time. Get ready to swap ideas, share insights, and expand your professional circle
11:25 - 11:35 a.m.BREAK
Enjoy a coffee break with Portland Coffee.
11:35 - 12:05 p.m.Connecting Local Assets to Visitor Communities Through Gravel Cycling
David Landis, Village to Village Trails
Learn more about the Mountaineer Gravel project connecting local tourism assets to visitor communities through the development of curated route content and travel itineraries for adventurous cyclists. Gravel cycling and bikepacking is growing in popularity and provides a unique value proposition for tourism initiatives and local communities.
12:05 - 1:05 p.m.LUNCH
Enjoy lunch while hearing from our two speakers, Jordan Nuzum and Mark Webb
12:20 - 12:40 p.m.Legislative Update & Q&A
Jordan Nuzum & Richie Heath, WV Hospitality & Travel Association
Stay informed and engaged with the latest developments from the West Virginia Legislature at this Legislative Update & Q&A session presented by the West Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association (WVHTA). This presentation will provide an overview of legislative actions and updates following the legislative session. Attendees will gain valuable insights into new policies, regulations, and initiatives that could affect their businesses. The interactive Q&A portion offers a unique opportunity to address your specific concerns and get expert answers from industry leaders.
12:40 - 1:00 p.m.Geocaching Mega Event Q&A
Mark Webb, Event Organizer
GeoWoodstock XXI, one of the largest Geocaching events in the world, is set to take place in Morgantown during Memorial Day weekend this year. This significant event will bring together over 5,000 geocaching enthusiasts from all 50 states and more than 21 countries, showcasing West Virginia's attractions to a diverse international audience. Mark Webb, a West Virginia native and outdoor enthusiast has been instrumental in promoting the state through geocaching for over 15 years and he’s here to tell you all about the event, how you can take part in promotions, and welcoming visitors in town for the event. Plus, he can answer any questions you have.
1:05 - 1:15 p.m.BREAK
Breakout Sessions (Choose TWO)
1:15 - 1:55 p.m. & 2:05 - 2:45 p.m.Train Your Team: Hospitality 101
Ennis Smith, WV Department of Tourism
Discover how to enhance your team's hospitality skills with the Tourism Works Certification Program, a free, comprehensive training course offered through Blue Ridge Community & Technical College in partnership with the West Virginia Department of Tourism. Successful completion of this free, 15-hour course earns you one college credit, making it an ideal resource for training front-line staff and team members across all roles. In this session, you'll be introduced to the program, explore its highlights, and learn how to implement this training to empower your team to prioritize customer service and enhance visitor experiences.
How to Utilize Social Media to Maximize Your Advertising
Sarah Rogers, Blaine Turner Advertising
Join us for an insightful session led by Sarah Rogers, CEO and President of Blaine Turner Advertising. Discover how to craft creative and engaging content, effectively repurpose it across multiple platforms, and identify content trends. Learn how to streamline your content creation process and maximize your reach without a large social media team or creative agency. This session is your golden ticket to mastering the art of content creation!
How to Double Your Advertising Dollars without Fundraising
Destiny Workman, WV Department of Tourism
Join Destiny Workman from the West Virginia Department of Tourism for an insider's look at how partners can leverage state resources to amplify their advertising reach. Learn about strategic joint marketing campaigns that can help your business tap into the state's "Almost Heaven" brand momentum, create compelling advertising opportunities, and connect with potential travelers. This session will reveal how you can stretch your marketing dollars, gain measurable outcomes, and connect your CVB with WV Tourism to elevate your promotional efforts.
LODGING ROUNDTABLE: Learn, Share, and Drive Results Together
Justin Reedy, Courtyard Morgantown & Jolene Downs, Hilton Garden Inn Morgantown
Hotel partners, join us upstairs for an engaging roundtable session where we’ll focus on the current state of the hospitality industry, explore effective sales strategies, discuss actionable tactics for success, and explore opportunities to strengthen group and meetings business. Share insights with peers, learn from collective experiences, and leave with fresh ideas to enhance your sales approach and drive results.
2:45 - 2:55 p.m.Break & Snack
2:55 - 3:40 p.m.Unleashing the Potential of AI in Hospitality & Tourism
Sean Cowan, Fahlgren Mortine
Dive into the future of hospitality with Sean Cowan, a visionary leader in digital marketing and AI innovation. As the head of the Digital Experience team at Fahlgren Mortine, Sean brings over two decades of expertise to our keynote session on AI. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights from a true industry expert on leveraging AI to stay competitive in an increasingly digital world. Sean's presentation promises to be an eye-opening exploration of how AI is setting new standards for innovation and customer engagement in the hospitality sector.
Enjoy a light breakfast and coffee provided by Portland Coffee, explore our sponsor tables and network with peers prior to the start of the summit.
Susan Riddle, Visit Mountaineer Country CVB
Unlock the hidden potential of your business by leveraging Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) resources! In this session, discover how to transform CVB connections into powerful marketing and networking opportunities. Learn insider strategies for promoting your business, accessing targeted marketing support, and connecting with key tourism professionals. Whether you're a small business owner, hospitality expert, or local entrepreneur, this presentation will provide actionable insights to help you maximize your visibility and growth potential in the tourism marketplace.
Chelsea Ruby, WV Department of Tourism
We are excited to Welcome Back, Secretary of Tourism Chelsea Ruby, as our Keynote Speaker. As the state's Tourism Secretary, Ruby will share insights into developing the next generation of tourism professionals and highlighting West Virginia's remarkable growth and potential. This session will also reveal practical strategies for leveraging state-level resources to maximize your tourism potential and stimulate the tourism economy in WV.
Ready, set, connect! Experience a fun and efficient way to meet dozens of new contacts in a short amount of time. Get ready to swap ideas, share insights, and expand your professional circle
Enjoy a coffee break with Portland Coffee.
David Landis, Village to Village Trails
Learn more about the Mountaineer Gravel project connecting local tourism assets to visitor communities through the development of curated route content and travel itineraries for adventurous cyclists. Gravel cycling and bikepacking is growing in popularity and provides a unique value proposition for tourism initiatives and local communities.
Enjoy lunch while hearing from our two speakers, Jordan Nuzum and Mark Webb
Jordan Nuzum & Richie Heath, WV Hospitality & Travel Association
Stay informed and engaged with the latest developments from the West Virginia Legislature at this Legislative Update & Q&A session presented by the West Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association (WVHTA). This presentation will provide an overview of legislative actions and updates following the legislative session. Attendees will gain valuable insights into new policies, regulations, and initiatives that could affect their businesses. The interactive Q&A portion offers a unique opportunity to address your specific concerns and get expert answers from industry leaders.
Mark Webb, Event Organizer
GeoWoodstock XXI, one of the largest Geocaching events in the world, is set to take place in Morgantown during Memorial Day weekend this year. This significant event will bring together over 5,000 geocaching enthusiasts from all 50 states and more than 21 countries, showcasing West Virginia's attractions to a diverse international audience. Mark Webb, a West Virginia native and outdoor enthusiast has been instrumental in promoting the state through geocaching for over 15 years and he’s here to tell you all about the event, how you can take part in promotions, and welcoming visitors in town for the event. Plus, he can answer any questions you have.
Ennis Smith, WV Department of Tourism
Discover how to enhance your team's hospitality skills with the Tourism Works Certification Program, a free, comprehensive training course offered through Blue Ridge Community & Technical College in partnership with the West Virginia Department of Tourism. Successful completion of this free, 15-hour course earns you one college credit, making it an ideal resource for training front-line staff and team members across all roles. In this session, you'll be introduced to the program, explore its highlights, and learn how to implement this training to empower your team to prioritize customer service and enhance visitor experiences.
Sarah Rogers, Blaine Turner Advertising
Join us for an insightful session led by Sarah Rogers, CEO and President of Blaine Turner Advertising. Discover how to craft creative and engaging content, effectively repurpose it across multiple platforms, and identify content trends. Learn how to streamline your content creation process and maximize your reach without a large social media team or creative agency. This session is your golden ticket to mastering the art of content creation!
Destiny Workman, WV Department of Tourism
Join Destiny Workman from the West Virginia Department of Tourism for an insider's look at how partners can leverage state resources to amplify their advertising reach. Learn about strategic joint marketing campaigns that can help your business tap into the state's "Almost Heaven" brand momentum, create compelling advertising opportunities, and connect with potential travelers. This session will reveal how you can stretch your marketing dollars, gain measurable outcomes, and connect your CVB with WV Tourism to elevate your promotional efforts.
Justin Reedy, Courtyard Morgantown & Jolene Downs, Hilton Garden Inn Morgantown
Hotel partners, join us upstairs for an engaging roundtable session where we’ll focus on the current state of the hospitality industry, explore effective sales strategies, discuss actionable tactics for success, and explore opportunities to strengthen group and meetings business. Share insights with peers, learn from collective experiences, and leave with fresh ideas to enhance your sales approach and drive results.
Sean Cowan, Fahlgren Mortine
Dive into the future of hospitality with Sean Cowan, a visionary leader in digital marketing and AI innovation. As the head of the Digital Experience team at Fahlgren Mortine, Sean brings over two decades of expertise to our keynote session on AI. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights from a true industry expert on leveraging AI to stay competitive in an increasingly digital world. Sean's presentation promises to be an eye-opening exploration of how AI is setting new standards for innovation and customer engagement in the hospitality sector.
