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.

March 2007

:: Meetings/Presentations/Workshops
   :. Vestivo to Exhibit at Texas Association of Campground Operators (TACO) May Show
   :. Stan Meador Presents at Mexican Nature Tourism Seminar
:: Projects
   :. Van Horn’s Red Rock Ranch Hosts Tour for International Seminar Participants
   :. AdventGX, TEEX, College Station Parks Host Henrietta for Best Practices Tour
   :. Quintana Conducts Technology Assessment for New Off-Road Recreation Park
   :. AdventGX Awarded Contract to Implement Fort Stockton EDC Marketing Projects
   :. Rural Economic & Tourism Development Seminar a Success
:: Team News
   :. Hank Phillips Appointed to Executive Advisory Board
Meetings/Presentations/Workshops
Vestivo to Exhibit at Texas Association of Campground Operators (TACO) May Show
AdventGX developed Vestivo-RV will be showcased at the May meeting of the Texas Association of Campground Owners on May 15-17 in Kerrville, Texas. This is one of the many industry meetings, conventions and tradeshows Vestivo participates in to stay in contact with industry leaders and up to date on the latest trends. During the events, Vestivo staff communicate with resort owners and operators to understand their needs and take the opportunity to demonstrate how Vestivo is bringing advanced tools to the RV Resort and Campground industry. Software isn’t just for making reservations anymore. Hand held devices for fast check ins, smart guest passes that give guests access to activity centers, and integrated rewards programs are just a few development items Vestivo is working on due to feedback received from show participants and current customers. To learn more about Vestivo-RV and our custom solutions, visit www.vestivo.com.
 
Stan Meador Presents at Mexican Nature Tourism Seminar
AdventGX Director of Nature Tourism Development Stan Meador presented at the “Hunting an Opportunity for Lands” seminar in Parral, Chihuahua, addressing nature tourism development to an audience of more than 60 ranch owners and hunting guides. The seminar addressed such topics as financing nature tourism businesses, best practices in nature tourism development, and regulations associated with the ranching and hunting industry in the State of Chihuahua. Chihuahua’s Association of Ranches and Hunting also participated in the event.

Projects
Van Horn’s Red Rock Ranch Hosts Tour for International Seminar Participants
International participants in the Rural Economic and Tourism Development Seminar were invited to participate in a special tour of Van Horn’s Red Rock Ranch, an excellent example of nature tourism in the region. Ranch owner and tour operator Darice McVey led the tour of the ranch, pointing out native plant species and unique rock formations.

AdventGX, TEEX, College Station Parks Host Henrietta for Best Practices Tour
Henrietta City Administrator Robert Patrick, Henrietta Growth Corporation (HGC) President Mark Matthews and HGC Board Member Eddie Heard visited College Station for a best practices tour and work session as part of their ongoing project with TEEX and AdventGX to establish a community development plan. During the visit, Steve Beachy, director of College Station Parks & Recreation, led a tour of three of the city’s premier parks and recreation facilities and shared insights regarding best practices and economic and community impact.The best practices tour was a precursor to a Thursday work session led by AdventGX to review findings and recommendations emerging from the TEEX Community Development Workshop and Plan. The Henrietta project is just one of several projects ongoing throughout Texas as part of TEEX Technology and Economic Development Division’s Technical Assistance for Regional Growth in Economic Development (TARGET) program which taps into a wealth of resources found within TEEX and The Texas A&M University System to help communities reach their economic development potential.

Quintana Conducts Technology Assessment for New Off-Road Recreation Park
Jose Quintana recently completed a technology assessment for Carolina Adventure World, a new off-road recreation park in Fairfield County, North Carolina. The impressive park boast more than 100 miles of ATV trails, as well as accommodations and is seeking to launch new property, event and marketing software to support their facility. As part of his assessment, Jose spent a day on-site learning about plans for operating the park and expanded facilities and amenities. In addition to ATV and motocross trails the nature tourism facility is developing what will probably become the longest canopy tour track in the nation. You can find out more about Carolina Adventure World by visiting their website www.carolinaadventureworld.com.

AdventGX Awarded Contract to Implement Fort Stockton EDC Marketing Projects
AdventGX was recently awarded the contract to implement a number of projects in support of Fort Stockton Economic Development Corporation’s ongoing marketing and promotion efforts. Joan Tatge presented the recommended projects to the Fort Stockton Economic Development Corporation Board during February. The Board agreed to fund the full recommendations, including development of an outreach campaign aimed at attracting a workforce to serve Fort Stockton’s booming oil & gas, energy and agriculture industries, development of fresh web sites for the community’s schools and hospital and promoting ongoing EDC projects. Work on the marketing projects will commence in early April and will extend through the summer through early fall.
 
Rural Economic & Tourism Development Seminar a Success
The inaugural Rural Economic & Tourism Development Seminar in Van Horn was well attended by local and regional leaders as well as a strong contingent of small business and university representatives from Northern Mexico. The seminar featured sessions on the use of 4A and 4B tax dollars as part of an economic development program, community branding and marketing, tourism development and the arts, nature tourism and technology tools for economic development.The seminar series was developed by TEEX and produced by AdventGX as a specialized education, training and networking opportunity for rural leaders to gain insights into the latest trends and best practices in rural economic development. The Van Horn event was supported by sponsorship from El Paso Electric, Capital Farm Credit, First Ag Credit, Luz de Estrella Winery, and the Texas Commission on the Arts. TEEX is now seeking host communities for future seminars that will be held throughout the state of Texas. For more information about the seminars, visit www.ed-central.com/retds or email info@ed-central.com.

Team News
Hank Phillips Appointed to Executive Advisory Board
Hank Phillips, a noted travel industry executive who served as chief staff officer for the National Tour Association, has accepted an appointment to the AdventGX Executive Advisory Board. Phillips, who is based in Lexington, KY, will leverage ongoing projects and his own broad base of expertise to help bring AdventGX services and technology solutions to the national marketplace. Phillips’ background in strategic planning, event planning and execution, corporate partnership marketing, tourism development and publishing are an excellent complement to the AdventGX suite of products and professional services, including strategy deployment, marketing, creative and publishing services and custom technology solutions. Click here to download the full press release.