Annual Rural Roundup tourism conference highlights travel trends, marketing tips
CARSON CITY, Nev. — Rural Roundup, Nevada’s signature rural tourism conference, sponsored by the Nevada Division of Tourism, returns to the Carson Valley for its 25th anniversary this April, Lt. Gov. Mark Hutchison announced today.
Kicking off the two-day conference is travel-trend expert Brian London. London is best known as publisher of Travel Industry Indicators and Travel Smart News, two of the industry’s top trade e-newsletters, and he will be addressing the travel trends among various generations and how to reach one’s intended market.
“It is so important to stay on top of travel and marketing trends so that we can stay competitive in the travel industry,” Hutchison, chair of the Nevada Commission on Tourism, said. “Nevada is a highly desired destination, but we must strive to know our audiences and know how to reach them effectively, and that’s what Rural Roundup is all about.”
Issues, trends and insights affecting rural tourism will fill the Rural Roundup agenda, Wednesday April 15, through Friday, April 17. All conference sessions will be held at the Carson Valley Inn in Minden. Sessions include:
- Itinerary and Product Development, presented by Mark Hoffman of Sports Leisure Vacations
- Paranormal Tourism, presented by author and paranormal expert Janet Jones
- Navigating the New World Travel Markets, presented by Jason Pacheco of BMG Travel
- Clutter-Busting Advertising, presented by Stan Byers of Stan Can Design
- Evolution of website design, presented by Sean Cowan, digital experience director of Fahlgren Mortine
- History as Hook, presented by Nevada Division of Museums and History Administrator Peter Barton
- Creative Communities, presented by Mary Works Covington, community arts development program coordinator with the Nevada Arts Council
Nevada Tourism and Nevada Magazine staff will present a session on how to get involved with the state’s tourism programs, and the conference will conclude Friday morning with a breakfast with Hutchison, whose term as lieutenant governor began in January of this year. Conference delegates will have the opportunity to hear his thoughts on the tourism industry, and to ask him questions.
“Tourism is Nevada’s No. 1 industry, employing more than 462,000 residents,” Claudia Vecchio, director of the Nevada Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, said. “For every 33 tourists to the U.S., one job is created, a message that resonates with Lt. Gov. Hutchison. Tourism continues to drive the state’s economy through robust job creation and ongoing product diversification.”
For Rural Roundup registration, news and updates please visit www.ruralroundup.com. Registration is $65 through April 1, and $100 after. For a full lineup of speakers and more information, visit www.RuralRoundup.com.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Nevada Division of Tourism welcomes media representatives to attend and cover the conference. Please let us know if you would like to attend by contacting Angela Froelich at [email protected] or 775-687-0639.
The Nevada Division of Tourism is part of the Nevada Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs. It promotes and markets Nevada as a tourism destination for domestic and international leisure and business travelers through its marketing and advertising programs and by coordinating partnerships between public and private entities. NCOT also administers grant programs for local entities to market travel and tourism offerings and publishes Nevada Magazine.
