Highlands Creative Economy Tourism Summit
Monday, August 5th 10:00am-4:00pm
West Virginia Schools for the Deaf & the Blind
301 East Main Street Romney, WV 26757
Brannon Auditorium
Join us for our annual Highlands Creative Economy Tourism Summit to learn about tools and resources for tourism organizations, and to network with peers in the industry. This event is free to attend and open to anyone interested in tourism in our region!
Preliminary Schedule (more details TBA):
Registration open at 9:30 am
Concurrent sessions 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Keynote Address
Eric Thompson (Access on the Go)
Accessibility
Accessibility Best Practices
Mary Anne Clendenin (WVDE Technical Assistance Center)
Adaptive Equipment for Recreation
Allie Saweikis (West Virginia Assistive Technology)
Agritourism in Hampshire County
Hampshire County Farm Crawl
Tina Ladd (Hampshire County Convention & Visitors Bureau)
Candace DeLong (WVU Extension)
Resources for Businesses
Leading Your Team Toward Exceptional Customer Service
Debra Frank (Eastern WV Community & Technical College)
Digital Marketing for Businesses
Danielle Willetts (Little Dog Social Media)
Recreation & Community Development
Andy Williamson (Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative)
Jessica Sutton (Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative)
Heritage Tourism
America250 in the Appalachian Forest
How to Support Your Organization with AmeriCorps
Lunch by Romney Brew Station
Discounted rooms are available at the South Branch Inn in Romney for the night of Sunday, August 4th. Use group code AFNHA.
Discounted tickets are available for the Trough Canyon trip at the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad. See below.
Check back in the coming weeks as we announce more schedule information!
Discover Hampshire County:
Experience the Majesty of Appalachia with Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad!
Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad is delighted to extend a warm invitation to all attendees of the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area's Annual Tourism Summit. In celebration of this event, we are offering a special discounted price for our August 4th Trough Canyon excursion, departing at 1 PM.
Our scenic and historic route through the heart of Appalachia provides an unforgettable journey through The Trough, a remote canyon that is home to the American bald eagle. This diverse forest ecosystem is the perfect habitat for these majestic raptors' sustainable nesting activities, and we are thrilled to share this experience with you.
For this special occasion, we are pleased to offer a 50% discount on any class of service. Potomac Eagle offers five distinct classes of service to ensure your comfort and enjoyment:
Club: Total climate control, 5 Course Hors d'oeuvres (Ages 17+ Only)
Discounted price for Adult ticket: $72.50
Superior Dining: Total climate control, 4 Course Meal (Ages 17+ Only)
Discounted price for Adult ticket: $72.50
Premium Dining: Total climate control, 3 Course Meal
Discounted price for Adult ticket: $60
Standard Dining: 1920s coaches without air conditioning, Windows Open (Boxed Lunch)
Discounted price for Adult ticket: $47.50
Standard Coach: 1920s coaches without air conditioning, Windows Open (Concessions Car available for snack purchases)
Discounted price for Adult ticket: $35
To take advantage of this exclusive offer, please use promo code AFNHA8424 at checkout. Reservations are required in advance and the ticket price will vary depending on the class of service you select. Book your adventure today using the following link: https://potomaceagle.com/plan/choose-your-trip/trough-trip/
Guests can choose between a discounted upgraded dining experience or a casual coach ride, allowing them to tailor their own comfortable train journey. Please note that our charming 1920s coaches do not have climate control during this hot weather, so guests can select the option that best suits their comfort level.
For those wishing to sit together, we encourage making reservations with this request. Additionally, guests are welcome to gather on the observatory cars for a shared group experience.
The itinerary for all guests is provided on our website when making reservations, and will look like this for planning purposes:
1:00 PM Trip:
Check-in at the ticket window between 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Boarding is at 12:30 PM
Meal service begins upon departure
Return to station at 4:00 PM
