Betty Huskins, Executive Director of Smoky Mountain Host, shares the mission, background and history, goals, and function areas of the organization.

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WCU Regional Leaders Summit
November 12,2014
Competitive Regional Tourism

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Organizational Vision
 Mission Statement: To increase visitation to the NC
Smoky Mountains and assist in the development of the
region’s tourism economy
 Mantra: Competitive Regional Tourism
 Core Values
 Service
 Integrity
 Diversity
 Excellence
 Inclusiveness
 Progress

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Background & History
 Established in 1987 – 7 counties and EBCI
– 11 members (now around 300)
 Hwy. 441 Visitor Center- Built in 1990
Partnership with DOT & NCGA – visitors
around a 98,000 per year
 Production of first “regional” travel guide
and first co-op advertising in NC
 Advocacy - federal, state and local
 Blue Ridge National Heritage Area
 NC Rural Tourism Development Grant
 Secured millions for regional marketing
and branding of the NC Smokies

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Organizational Goals
 Provide quality information and
customer service to visitors at the
Visitor Center
 Maintain a viable, effective and
research-based regional tourism
marketing and multi-media advertising
campaign
 Provide effective governmental affairs
representation for the region’s tourism
industry
 Serve as a resource for the members of
the organization

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Core Function Areas Supporting
 Visitor Center Operation
 Regional Destination Marketing
 Travel Guide, Co-Op Programs, Website
 Tourism Research
 Ongoing Research Program
 Governmental Affairs /Advocacy
 Federal, State and Local
 Tourism Product Development
 Smoky Mountain Blueways Initiative
 Educational Programs
 Workshops – Example: Roger Brooks Series
 Seminars
 Increased Revenues
 Human Talent – Staff
 Research Partner
 Private Partners
 Industry Experts

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Questions?
Contact Info: betty@visitsmokies.org
Website: visitsmokies.org