2024 Tourism Summit

Thursday, December 12th 2024

8:00 AM - 2:30 PM

Surry County Service Center in Dobson

Free Event, Free Lunch

A unique opportunity to hear from expert speakers in the tourism and hospitality industry and about marketing trends. The conference is available at no cost to Surry County tourism industry partners and regional partners. Registration is required by December 6th, 2024 (See form below).

Email [email protected] with any questions.

Hosted by Tourism Partnership of Surry County

Aerial view in Surry County, NC

Speakers

Chris Cavanaugh

Prior to founding Magellan Strategy Group in 2004, Cavanaugh served as vice president of marketing for The Biltmore Company in Asheville, NC, the owner of Biltmore Estate, America’s largest home. While at Biltmore, Cavanaugh helped guide the company’s marketing planning, strategy, and execution for almost ten years as part of an amazing team of talented people. During his time, the Biltmore team doubled its annual revenue and became the most visited historic house attraction in the U.S. Cavanaugh also directed marketing for the Inn on Biltmore Estate, a four-star hotel on the property, and the Biltmore Estate Winery, the most visited winery in the nation.

Learn More

Scott Peacock

Scott Peacock is the Director of Tourism Marketing and Communications at Visit North Carolina, a business unit of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC). Visit North Carolina’s work amplifies the voice of partner destination organizations statewide to increase visitation, visitor spending, tourism-generated tax revenue and broader economic development across all of North Carolina’s regions and 100 counties.

Employing his nearly 20 years of marketing and communications experience and over 15 years specializing in destination marketing and economic development, Scott leads a team overseeing the state's efforts to attract visitors. With the goal to establish North Carolina as the premier destination in the East, Scott works to develop and execute brand positioning and messaging, as well as drive integrated marketing and communications efforts through a research-backed strategy. His team is tasked with highlighting the state's scenic beauty, sights and experiences, bringing to life the stories and characters of North Carolina from the mountains to the sea.

Brian Lewis & Vince Chelena

Brian Lewis is the founder and principal officer of New Frame, a bipartisan lobbying and communications firm that serves North Carolina nonprofits and small businesses. Known for his creative approach, Brian effectively uses film and video to tell stories that drive legislation and communicate complex issues to the public. With years of political experience, he has played a key role in many of the state's high-profile policy debates. When he's not advocating for his clients, Brian enjoys spending time with his wife in Cary, NC, or catching waves at Tower 6 in Carolina Beach.

Vince Chelena is the Executive Director of the North Carolina Travel Industry Association and Co-Owner of The Management Office (TMO), which provides management services to associations across the state. With TMO, Vince oversees administrative, financial, and meeting planning functions for various organizations, serving as their headquarters. He also serves as Executive Director of the Charlotte Area Hotel Association (CAHA), representing the regional convention and tourism hotel industry. Vince's work is focused on fostering collaboration within the travel and tourism sector while providing vital resources and programming for his members.

Agenda

8:00 am – Registration & Breakfast

8:30 am – 8:50 am – Welcome & Remarks

Chris Knopf, County Manager & Board Member of the Tourism Partnership of Surry County

9:00 am – 10:00 am – Chris Cavanaugh, Magellan Strategies

10:00 am – 11:00 am – Overview from Visit NC and the State of NC

Scott Peacock, Director of Tourism Marketing and Communications at Visit North Carolina

11:00 am – 12:00 pm – Brian Lewis & Vince Chelena, North Carolina Travel Industry Association Representatives

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm – Lunch and Networking from the NC Travel Industry

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm – Jessica Roberts, Executive Director of Mount Airy Tourism Development Authority & Tourism Partnership of Surry County
Travis Frye, Tourism Coordinator for Dobson Tourism Development Authority & Tourism Partnership of Surry County

2:30 pm – Adjourn

Chad Tidd, Chairman of the Tourism Partnership of Surry County