[ community ]
CELEBRATE
According to a study by Dean Runyan
Associates, the Eastern Panhandle once
again led West Virginia in visitor spending
at $1.025 billion for Fiscal Year 2018, a
number that was up $50 million from
the previous year. This came as no sur-
prise—tourists and West Virginians alike
are attracted to the region for its proximity
to major metropolitan hubs like Baltimore
and Washington, D.C.; stunning scenery;
timeless history; and booming business
communities.
For its Summer 2019 issue, West Virginia
Executive partnered with companies and
organizations from the Eastern Panhandle
to help celebrate everything the diverse
area has to offer. On September 19, busi-
ness leaders from Berkeley, Jefferson and
Morgan counties came together as a
united region to eat, drink, network and
brainstorm ways to continue growing
and strengthening this powerhouse area
of the Mountain State. The beautiful
new Bavarian Brothers Brewing was the
perfect venue for the reception, which
spilled out onto the patio overlooking the
Potomac River.
Eastern
Panhandle
SAMANTHA CART
“For a small business owner, the need to
network and create new relationships is very
important. Events like the Celebrate Eastern
Panhandle reception allow like-minded
individuals to connect, share ideas and find
opportunities. Talking to people face to face in
an informal environment gives you the chance to
learn from the successes of other businesses.
You also discover the resources available to
create that success. Staying informed and
aware of what’s happening in the Eastern
Panhandle is a benefit to everyone.”
“While a business reception has a component
of making contacts and meeting potential
clients, I left with the impression that was not
the primary focus of the Celebrate Eastern
Panhandle event. I left with a strong feeling of
community from a group of people interested
in increasing the economic activity in West
Virginia. It was useful for me, as a professor, to
know what traits and practical skills businesses
are seeking in prospective job applicants. We
will improve the state’s economic sector by
working together to establish viable business
ventures, and networking events like this are
critical as they bring forward-thinking, like-
minded entrepreneurs together to share ideas
about what others are doing, what works and
what needs to be changed. West Virginia is
a beautiful state with friendly people sharing
common goals of vibrant businesses that are
economically, environmentally and socially
sustainable.” “The reception hosted at the Bavarian Inn was
outstandingly cool—the food, the atmosphere
and the amazing facility. It is wonderful to have
the Eastern Panhandle featured and celebrated.
I know my friends and colleagues from the
area appreciated the opportunity to showcase
our community. Telling the economic story of
this part of the Mountain State is important,
and our story is somewhat different from the
state’s other regions. Through this networking
event, we invited economic development site
selectors to visit, celebrate and network with
us. I confidently expect positive impacts from
the West Virginia Executive magazine special
section and the Celebrate Eastern Panhandle
reception to reverberate for some time across
West Virginia, in northern Virginia and into
Maryland and the Metro DC area.”
– Dr. Peter Vila
Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies
Shepherd University – Daryl Cowles
Executive Director
Morgan County Economic Development Authority
SPONSORED BY
22
WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE
– Krista Hoffman
President
Burch Wood Products, Inc.