Convention & Visitors Bureau DIVISION
DAVID PROWSE, VICE CHAIR
Accomplishments & Highlights:
• Successfully attained hosting privileges for the first Southern Backroads Harley Owners’ Group Rally, set for July 11-15, 2017. Worked in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, Harley-Davidson Motor Company and local stakeholders to execute a formal press announcement, led by TDTD Commissioner Kevin Triplett. Expected rally attendance is 5,000 + and will economically impact the entire Upper Cumberland region.
• For the third year in a row, Cookeville was awarded hosting privileges to serve as a major stop for Run for the Wall, a veterans’ motorcycle event routing from Los Angeles to Arlington National Cemetery with participants riding in honor of POWs and MIAs. The emotional and impactful event led over 300 riders into town as they broke from a 10- day cross country journey the week before Memorial Day.
• Continued momentum in branding and marketing efforts, led to final preparations for a soft-launch of VisitCookevilleTN. com in January 2017. This, along with a merchandise partnership, increased advertising strategy and a newly created public relations / marketing staff position, have generated elevated growth in the branding campaign initiated in 2015.
• Partnered with TDTD as well as the Upper Cumberland Tourism Association to host national and international travel journalists for press tours focusing on both general interest and special interest( motorcycling) media platforms.
• Hosted three successful train excursions from Nashville to Baxter, Cookeville and Monterey welcoming over 1,500 drive-market visitors to Putnam County.
• Participated with UCTA in the Upper Cumberland Home & Garden Show / Stay & Play Tourism Expo.
• Continued to be one of 23 certified Retire Tennessee communities to attract active retirees to Putnam County and the region. Participation in this program led to fulfillment of more than 4,000 leads and representation at six Ideal Living Resort & Retirement Expos. Maintained membership in the American Association of Retirement Communities and was again named an AARC Seal of Approval recipient.
• Served as the surveying agency for the Council for Community and Economic Research Cost of Living Index.
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