TUESDAY 4/8: ‘Sky’s the Limit’ Tourism Workshop at ESCC

The Eastern Shore of Virginia Tourism Commission (ESVATC) will host its first Tourism Summit – The Sky’s the Limit — a free afternoon workshop for Eastern Shore tourism business owners and future tourism entrepreneurs, on Tuesday, April 8, from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m., at Eastern Shore Community College. Travel and tourism industry experts from National Geographic, the Virginia Tourism Corporation, the Artisans Center of Virginia, DIA Advertising and Marketing, and a panel of local experts will address the challenges and opportunities involved in competing for tourism dollars.

FEATURED SPEAKERS: Eyre Baldwin, Partner, ESLAND Land Development Company; Dave Iwans, President, DIA Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations.

“Travel and tourism has become a very big business — and consumers demand rich, integrated experiences,” said Kerry Allison, ESVATC executive director. “Communities are working together in novel and inventive ways, so we’re bringing in experts that will help us all learn more about how to do that.”

A good example of this type of innovation on the Eastern Shore, she said, is the Chatham Vineyards/Southeastern Expeditions Kayak Winery Tour, which has become one of the Shore’s most popular tourism draws. “For the visitor, two fun activities – kayaking and wine tasting – have been connected seamlessly, making it very easy for the visitor planning a trip. Consumers love this kind of rich and layered experience.”

Business partnerships like the Kayak Winery Tour will be the focus of a panel discussion led by Steve Potts of Bill’s Restaurant and featuring Eastern Shore entrepreneurs from Blue Crab Bay Co., Chatham Vineyards and Eastern Shore Coastal Roasting Co.

The afternoon workshop also will feature Jim Dion, Director of Tourism Programs, National Geographic Society Maps Division, who will speak on sustainable tourism development; Dave Iwans, President, DIA Advertising and Marketing, who will host an interactive brainstorming session on how to leverage the Wallops Island launches; Sherri Smith, Executive Director, Artisans Center of Virginia, who is heading a local effort to create an Eastern Shore Artisans Trail and will talk about experiential tourism; and Dave Neudeck, Director of Digital Marketing, Virginia Tourism Corporation, who will discuss digital marketing basics.

For free registration, click https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-skys-the-limit-registration-10503067959