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5th Annual Cultural and Heritage Tourism Symposium

About CCHTC

CALIFORNIA CULTURAL AND HERITAGE TOURISM 5TH ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM

On January 14-16, 2009, the California Cultural & Heritage Tourism Corp (CCHTC) held its 5th Annual Symposium in Ventura, Ca. Close to 200 cultural and heritage industry experts and partners learned how to identify their communities’ cultural and heritage assets and how to best utilize them, all while enjoying the beautiful city of Ventura. Many attendees chose green transportation options, like Amtrak, the official ground transportation sponsor for the Symposium.

In addition to the educational sessions, the Symposium also provided some wonderful and diverse cultural entertainment –Chumash Indian vision and stories; Charles Phoenix’s 1950-60s Southern California slide presentation, sponsored by California Travel Media/Sunset Publishing; and a Buffalo Soldier’s story, which brought tears to the eyes of a few audience members.

Several sessions focused on how to support cultural and heritage destinations and attractions in the current troubled economic climate. Sheila Armstrong, executive director of the U.S. Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council, gave insights on the lucrative cultural and heritage travelers – who they are and what they expect. Symposium speakers, including keynote speaker Dave Norton of Stone Mantel, then presented numerous avenues to finding funding and creative marketing opportunities. Dave also spoke on the topic of successful branding, much like that of the keynote speaker sponsor ConocoPhillips and their easily identifiable 76 brand. With topics ranging from Preserve America benefits to how to turn cultural capital into economic capital, as well as attracting new customers and keeping them happy, the Symposium was full of ready-to-use ideas for converting cultural and heritage destination into real dollars for communities.

Gloria Herbert, associate publisher/editor of Black Meetings and Tourism, and Debra Lucero, principal of Lucero & Associates, presented valuable information on how to reach out to diverse demographic groups to bring dollars and recognition to communities. The travel writers’ panel, sponsored by AAA magazines (Westways and VIA) was well received and topics discussed included the evolution of the ever-changing media world and the type of stories to submit for possible inclusion in various publications. The well-attended technology panel included creative ways to get the message out about cultural and heritage tourism using Web cams and podcasts.

The symposium provided a way for attendees to reconnect with old friends and build new partnerships, with numerous opportunities for networking and interactive sessions that. The theme of the Symposium turned out to be “friendships build partnerships” – arts, culture, heritage and tourism partners can work together to help create a priceless experience.

To see photographs of the 5th Annual Symposium and Preserve America Summit, click here.

Cultural & Heritage Tourism Alliance (CHTA)

California Travel Industry Association (CalTIA)

THANK YOU CCHTC SYMPOSIUM SPONSORS: