Program Audience

Program Description

Rural tourism activities have been shown to foster local entrepreneurship, reverse the outmigration of young adults, provide local workforce opportunities and expand economic opportunities in rural communities.  Furthermore, a recent study (White, 2023), indicates that “recreation-dependent counties grew more than twice as fast as the nation overall and the Midwest’s recreation counties mirrored this trend”. 
 

Program Presenters

Pam Schallhorn, Extension Specialist in Community and Economic Development will discuss ways to create effective tourism marketing campaigns that reach different generations as well as insights into identifying target markets and the importance of digital marketing.

Richard Proffer, Extension Educator in Community & Economic Development will introduce a recent study completed by the University of Illinois and Illinois Extension: I-Rural: Reimagining Illinois Rural Tourism. Resources being made available that night will include the rural tourism toolkit that allows communities and organizations to better understand and promote their communities as well as an updated grant resource guide.