CLIENT PROJECTS

NC Dept. of Transportation - Currently providing public relations services for the Winston-Salem Business 40 Improvement Project, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

NC Rural Center - Provided training through the NC S.T.E.P. program for some 60 small towns. Helped town leaders learn what tourism is and how they can benefit from developing it.

 Pender/Duplin County Tourism - Provided an all-day seminar for non-profit organizations on how to develop a festival/event, do fundraising, promotion and increase their bottom line.

Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau – Encouraged members of the hospitality industry in Cumberland County to develop a way to exchange information regarding tourism and economic development activities. Assisted Fort Bragg to increase awareness of activities open to the public there. Researched and wrote itineraries for the FACVB to use in soliticing the group travel market.

Crossroads Pumpkin Fest – Created and produced a Media Preview in 2004 and 2008 where pumpkins decorated as political candidates were catapulted to see which ones were hurled the farthest. “The Great Heads of Statesville Exit Poll,” as the event was called, garnered international media coverage and increased out-of-town attendance at the Festival itself. Wrote and distributed all press materials.

Fort Fisher Restoration Committee, Inc. – 1) Facilitated sessions with the non-profit support group to create a membership plan for the “Friends of Fort Fisher.” Wrote and developed it. The program was launched during the 140th Anniversary Celebration in January 2005. 2) Researched, wrote press releases and created a media kit for the 140th Anniversary Celebration. 3) Updated the image banks for Fort Fisher, the NC Department of Cultural Resources and the North Carolina tourism office.

Mid-Carolina Host – 1) Researched a 15-county region in both Carolinas to determine attractions that would be suitable for the motorcoach market. Wrote 12 itineraries that were published in a booklet and on www.tourcarolinas.com 2) Researched tour operators between Florida and Canada and created a database of 500 who either bring groups into our state or who are interested in doing so. 3) Developed a sales blitz for members of Mid-Carolina Host to make personal visits to operators and AAA offices in Ohio.

Cabarrus County Convention and Visitors Bureau – Developed and conducted a survey to determine what the fans of Dale Earnhardt would like to see in a “Dale Trail.”

North Carolina Arts Council – Researched 30 counties in the Piedmont portion of North Carolina to build an inventory of artists, farmers and other participants for http://www.homegrownhandmade.com/, a project funded by the Golden L.E.A.F. Foundation. Counseled project leaders regarding marketing and promotional opportunities. Wrote press and distributed press releases about the project. Spoke to more than 60 groups about the effort.

Oakboro Main Street Development, LLC – Researched and wrote a marketing plan, wrote and distributed press releases for downtown organization and area special events. Counseled local merchants, retailers and event organizers on tourism promotion. Oakboro has the largest downtown cruise-in held in the state of North Carolina with around 10,000 people showing up on a pretty day.