An announcement from Virginia Gause

Regional Tourism Workshop - Thursday, August 14, 2008, Kingsville, Texas

Saddle Up!
Rein in the Power of Tourism for Your Community

Presented by Texas Department of Agriculture’s GO TEXAN program

Join us in Kingsville for a day-long workshop featuring industry experts offering stimulating and information-packed presentations and breakout sessions, including the latest information and innovative tools and strategies to help Texas communities build and sustain local tourism success. Learn the latest about industry research, industry trends, development strategies, funding opportunities, marketing, etc., customized to meet the needs of the South Texas region.

Whether you’re a seasoned tourism industry veteran or an industry newcomer in South Texas, the Kingsville workshop will provide you with new ideas and practical tools to use in your hometown.

Download the Registration Form at:
http://www.ttia.org/regional/kingsville.html.

The Registration fee is only $75 and includes a workshop notebook, hand-outs, continental breakfast, lunch, and refreshments.

(Note: There is no Early Bird or Late Registration rate for the Kingsville workshop. The registration fee for all registrants, regardless of when received, is $75)

See below for the workshop schedule.

Workshop Location:
Texas A&M University - Memorial Student Union Bldg.
1050 W. Santa Gertrudis Ave.
(Santa Gertrudis Ave. @ University Blvd. )
Kingsville, TX 78363

Hotel Information: Comfort Inn
505 N. Hwy. 77, Kingsville, TX 78363
Phone: 361-516-1120
TTIA rate: $79/night (single/double),
state rate is $70/night
(ask for “Tourism Workshop” group rate)
Cutoff deadline - July 31, 2008

Thanks to All of Our Sponsors:

• GO TEXAN
• Texas Department of Transportation
• Texas Historical Commission
• Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
• Texas Commission on the Arts
• Office of the Governor, Economic Development and Tourism Division
• Texas Coastal Bend Regional Tourism Council
• McAllen CVB
• Kingsville CVB
• King Ranch

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

7:30 - 8:15 AM
Workshop Registration, Continental Breakfast

8:15 - 8:25 AM
Welcome and Introductions

8:25 - 9:00 AM
General Session - TBA
Speaker: TBA

9:10 - 10:05 AM
Morning Breakout Sessions (Concurrent)

• Marketing on a Shoestring Budget
  Marketing can be a challenge regardless of your budget, but when you are working with little money and limited resources, it takes even more ingenuity, imagination and know-how. If you have been squeezed to make your advertising, promotion and PR budgets go further, this will be a session for you to attend. You never know, something you learn here may make you a hero at home.
  Speaker: Dan Quandt, Executive Director, South Padre Island CVB
• From Camo to Fido - Putting Tourism to Work for Your Town.
  Buda, Texas is an example of how small Texas communities can successful leverage tourism as an effective strategy for economic development. A committed city leadership, dedicated partnerships, and an energized community spirit have helped Buda diversify and expand its economy through initiatives as diverse as Cabela’s and the Annual Wiener Dog Races. Learn from a local economic development professional how your community can take the tourism path to economic prosperity.
  Speaker: Warren Ketteman, Executive Director, Buda Economic Development Corporation.
• Funding Opportunities for Tourism
  Speaker: Bennett Sandlin, General Counsel, Texas Municipal League

10:15 - 11:10 AM
Morning Breakout Sessions (Repeated)

11:20 - 12:20 PM
State Agency Briefings
Texas state agencies are your partners in the travel and tourism business. They offer a wealth of projects and programs that provide tourism opportunities for you and your community. Don’t miss this chance to learn how you can take advantage of state programs that can boost your tourism
efforts.
Speakers:
Doris Howdeshell - Director, Travel Division, Texas Department of Transportation
Louri O’Leary - Travel Research Manager, Office of the Governor, Economic Development and Tourism Division
Marlett Bahn and Nancy Deviney - Texas Tropical Trail Region, Texas Historical Commission Heritage Tourism Program
Gaye Greever McElwain - Director of Marketing, Texas Commission on the Arts
TBD - Texas Parks & Wildlife Department

12:25 - 1:15 PM
Networking Lunch
Join in round table discussions with other workshop attendees and speakers. This is your opportunity to discuss state, regional and local issues with your peers and experts in the Texas tourism industry.

1:25 - 2:20 PM
Afternoon Breakout Sessions (Concurrent)

• GO TEXAN/Certified Retirement Community Program
  Speakers: Natalie Houghton, Marketing Coordinator for Rural Texas Communities and Sherri Gothard-Barron, Program Coordinator, GO TEXAN Certified Retirement Community Program, Texas Department of Agriculture
• Researching Your Target Market - Learn What Sets You Apart
  This presentation features the latest state research on travel to Texas and the South Texas region. Learn about the economic impact of travel to your area, was well as key demographics and travel motivators and preferences for visitors. This session will help you better understand your key targetmarkets and how to more effectively market to them.
  Speaker: Louri O’Leary - Travel Research Manager, Office of the Governor, Economic Development and Tourism Division
• How to Go Green Without Breaking the Bank
  Sustainability means, among other things, conserving water, energy and money. This session will teach you why and how to start a green movement in your community, working with hotels, restaurants and general businesses. You’ll learn how to encourage participation with elected officials and other community leaders, and how to market the efforts to encourage awareness,support and community pride.
  Speaker: Nancy Millar, Vice President, McAllen Convention and Visitors Bureau

2:30 - 3:25 PM
Afternoon Breakout Sessions (Repeated)

3:25 - 3:40 PM
Afternoon Refreshment Break
Sponsored by Texas Coastal Bend Regional Tourism Council

3:40 - 4:15 PM
General Session - Texas Tourism: What Does the Future Hold?
Learn how emerging industry and economic trends will impact the future of travel and tourism in Texas and the South Texas region.
Speaker: Nelson Gumm - President AJR and Associates

4:15 - 4:30 PM: Open Discussion, Q&A, Adjourn

If you have any questions, please contact David Teel (davidt@ttia.org) or Jennifer Roush (jenniferr@ttia.org) at 512-476-4472.

Download the Registration Form at:
http://www.ttia.org/regional/kingsville.html.