AdventGXtra

AdventGXtra is the monthly newsletter for the AdventGX team. Each month, look here for the latest information about new AdventGX projects and initiatives and learn about our newest AdventGX team members.

April 2006

:: AdventGX News
   :. AdventGX Participates in Texas Lyceum Meeting on Gambling
   :. Texas A&M RPTS Department Celebrates 40 Years
:: Initiatives
   :. Parral Wood Product Manufacturers Visit with AdventGX in West Texas
:: Meetings/Presentations/Workshops
   :. Dr. Skadberg Presents at Bankers Conference
   :. Dr. Skadberg Presents at Basic Economic Development Course
:: Projects
   :. AdventGX Launches TEEX ED-Central Newsletter
   :. AdventGX, TEEX Present Technical Assistance Proposal to Madisonville City Council
AdventGX News
AdventGX Participates in Texas Lyceum Meeting on Gambling
Gambling in Texas was the topic of the April Texas Lyceum meeting, held in Galveston. Experts on the topic discussed the effects gambling has on communities, the workforce, and the tourism industry. The weekend ended with a trip to the Sam Houston Race Track to watch the annual Conally Cup. AdventGX President Jose Quintana is a member of the Texas Lyceum Board of Directors. Joan Tatge, Lindsey Hafner and Jose Juan Quintana joined him for the meetings.

Texas A&M RPTS Department Celebrates 40 Years
Texas A&M’s Recreation Parks and Tourism Science Department (RPTS) celebrated its 40th anniversary at the annual Spring Banquet this month and the AdventGX team joined in the festivities. The event was held at The Association of Former Students’ Clayton W. Williams Alumni Center where awards and scholarships were presented to former students, students and professionals in the tourism industry. AdventGX team members participating in the celebration included former RPTS Department Head and Professor Emeritus Dr. Carson Watt, Dr. Warren Evans, AdventGX board member, Jose Quintana, Joan Tatge, Kelley Stewart and Lindsey Hafner. Keith Godwin, AdventGX executive advisory board member and director of Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau also joined the team for the event.

   

Initiatives
Parral Wood Product Manufacturers Visit with AdventGX in West Texas
Representatives of wood product manufacturers from Parral, Chihuahua, Mexico made the five-hour drive to Fort Davis, Texas to meet with AdventGX at Sproul Ranch to discuss a new initiative aimed at developing a marketing channel for regionally branded wood products. Jose Quintana, Joan Tatge and Lindsey Hafner presented plans for a marketing, manufacturing and distribution consortium of manufacturers of handcrafted items such a picture frames, furniture, and various leather items to be distributed throughout the United States. As part of the Van Horn, Texas regional economic development initiative, AdventGX is establishing the consortium to support the production, distribution and sale of these regionally branded products. The consortium will also support regional economic and tourism development initiatives underway in Parral, Mexico.

      

Meetings/Presentations/Workshops
Dr. Skadberg Presents at Bankers Conference
Dr. Andy Skadberg presented at a conference hosted by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, Iowa. The “Tourism Builds Communities” session focused on opportunities for tourism in rural communities and illustrated methods bankers and economic development entities can use to capitalize on them. The FHLBDM is a cooperative bank that represents about 1250 community banks, credit unions and savings and loans in Iowa, Missouri, South & North Dakota and Minnesota. Over 80% of the banks are located in communities with populations less than 2500. The conferences feature nationally recognized speakers like Neil Cavuto, Ben Stein and Bill Curtis. The next conference will be held May 24th & 25th in Osage Beach, Missouri. For more information visit www.primezone.com/newsroom/news.html?d=96422.
 
Dr. Skadberg Presents at Basic Economic Development Course
AdventGX Chief Knowledge Officer Dr. Andy Skadberg presented at the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) Basic Economic Development Course (BEDC) in Frisco, Texas. The TEEX BEDC provides economic and community development professionals an introduction to issues, opportunities and resources. Tourism development sessions have recently been added to the seminar as a diversification strategy for economic development.
Projects
AdventGX Launches TEEX ED-Central Newsletter
Under contract with the Texas Engineering Extension Service Technology and Economic Development Division, AdventGX recently developed and launched www.ED-Central.com as well as the monthly e-newsletter for the Economic Development Resource Library. The online resource and monthly e-newsletter aim to provide economic developers in small, rural and underserved communities throughout Texas with ideas, best practices and inspiration for successful, sustainable economic development. To subscribe to the newsletter, visit www.ed-central.com/subscribe.asp.
 
AdventGX, TEEX Present Technical Assistance Proposal to Madisonville City Council
AdventGX Director of Communications Joan Tatge and Lesa Hill of the Texas Engineering Extension Service Technology and Economic Development Division recently presented a proposal for technical assistance to the Madisonville City Council. AdventGX is partnering with TEEX to provide rural and underderserved communities with technical assistance related to economic and tourism development planning and implementation. To learn more about the technical assistance program, contact Joan Tatge at joantatge@adventgx.com.