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

The event will be a networking opportunity for local businesses owners in the tourism industry, said Amy McMurrow, one of the event organizers and owner of SouthernIllinoisSpecialties.com. It will also give attendees a chance to meet with tourism officials to discuss their concerns and brainstorm ways to expand the industry.

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

The event will be from 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday at Blue Sky Vineyard, 3150 S. Rocky Comfort Road in Makanda.