Article Options

Tourism entrepreneurs to discuss growth opportunities

By Laura Chapman, The Southern

Sunday, June 8, 2008 11:14 PM CDT

Tourism entrepreneurs throughout Southern Illinois are invited to attend the "Tourpreneurs" networking event Tuesday in Makanda.

The event will be a networking opportunity for local businesses owners in the tourism industry, said Amy McMurrow, one of the event organizers and the owner of SouthernIllinoisSpecialties.com.

Right now, she said, many tourism businesses operate independently and have little contact with other related businesses. The meeting will be a chance for them to meet one another and possibly make plans to work together to expand the industry.

"We're all going to be able to work better together if we know each other," she said.

The event will also give attendees a chance to meet with two tourism officials to discuss their concerns and brainstorm ways to expand the industry, McMurrow said.

Kathy Lively, Connect SI executive director, and Jon Musgrave, Southern Illinois tourism director, will be on hand to meet with attendees in 5-to-10-minute intervals.

People can call ahead to schedule their meetings with the tourism panel or just find an open spot once they arrive, McMurrow said.

Although the event is primarily an opportunity for people within the industry to brainstorm, she said, any one with an interest in the tourism industry is welcome to attend.

McMurrow said she hopes the networking event will be the first of its kind as businesses start to work together to improve the tourism market in Southern Illinois.

"(Tourism) is a main resource around here that needs to be optimized to the full potential," McMurrow said.

The event will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday at Blue Sky Vineyard, 3150 S. Rocky Comfort Road in Makanda. Refreshments will be provided. For more information or to make a reservation, call (888) 998-9397. Other event sponsors include Connect SI and the Southern Illinois Tourism Development Office.

laura.chapman@thesouthern.com

351-5816