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.

October 2006

:: Initiatives
   :. Team Presents to Terrell County Commissioners, Visits Sanderson
:: Meetings/Presentations/Workshops
   :. Vestivo Showcased at Nevada RV Tradeshow
   :. AGX Supports TEEX Basic Economic Development Course
   :. AdventGX Well Represented at TTIA Summit
:: Projects
   :. Rural Economic and Tourism Development Seminar to Launch in December
   :. AdventGX Visits Big Bend National Park
   :. AdventGX Makes Presentation to Cuauhtemoc, Mexico Tourism Board
   :. AdventGX Launches Journey Builder Product with Far Flung Outdoor Center
Initiatives
Team Presents to Terrell County Commissioners, Visits Sanderson
AdventGX recently visited Sanderson, Texas and made a presention to the Terrell County Commissioners Court about AdventGX, recent projects, and the AdventGX Strategy Deployment Process. Terrell County is located in far West Texas, where AdventGX has a growing customer base. Following the presentation, AdventGX was asked to present a proposal to the commissioners for development of an economic and tourism development plan.While in Terrell County, AGX team members hiked Javelina Hill, which the Commissioners Court recently developed as a hiking trail for tourist.

Team members also saw beautiful examples of desert landscaping at the home of Judge Leo Smith, the Terrell County Judge.

Meetings/Presentations/Workshops
Vestivo Showcased at Nevada RV Tradeshow
Amy Williams, AdventGX Director of Reservations Management Solutions, Inc., recently showcased the Vestivo RV reservation and property management solution at one of the largest RV tradeshows in the state. The product was very well received and Amy is busy following up on leads and the inquiries that are coming in daily as the Vestivo (
www.vestivo.com) name continues to become better recognized in the industry.
 
AGX Supports TEEX Basic Economic Development Course
Andy Skadberg presented the Tourism Development module as part of the recent Basic Economic Development Course (BEDC) that was held in Austin, TX. BEDC is developed and managed by the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) Technology and Economic Development Division. During the tourism module, Andy presented participants with information about tourism trends and the growing desire among travelers to enjoy authentic, engaging experiences, many of which are overlooked or unrealized in small and rural communities. Through an interactive exercise, Andy challenged the participants to look at their communities with a different perspective and helped them to identify the tourism opportunities inherent in their existing natural, cultural and heritage assets.
 
AdventGX Well Represented at TTIA Summit
Several AdventGX team members participated in the recent Texas Travel Industry Association Summit in Grapevine, Texas, making presentations and discussing ways to enhance the state’s travel industry. AGX Director of Nature Tourism Development Stan Meador attended the event along with Jose Quintana. Jose presented the newest enhancements to Texas Education Vacation and AGX Board member Andrew Samson presented on the State Parks and water issues. Scott McGehee, manager of Cibolo Creek Ranch and a good friend to AdventGX, was honored during the event with a Life Time Service Award from TTIA. Congratulations Scott!

Projects
Rural Economic and Tourism Development Seminar to Launch in December
The pilot Rural Economic and Tourism Development Seminar is set for December 18 and 19 in far West Texas. The Town of Van Horn will host the seminar which is targeted at rural leadership and aims to provide best practices for a regional approach to rural economic and tourism development. AdventGX developed the seminar in partnership with the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) Technology and Economic Development Division to target economic development executives, city administrators and elected officials, including city council members, county commissioners and judges. Course participants will receive continuing education units. For more information about the pilot seminar and to register online, visit www.ed-central.com/retds.
 
AdventGX Visits Big Bend National Park
AdventGX team members Jose Quintana, Joan Tatge, and Lindsey Hafner took a trip to Big Bend National Park during a recent trip in support of the Big Bend Texas Mountain Travel Guide development. After the area had signification rain, the mountains were covered with green vegetation, a beautiful sight in the desert mountain environment. While in the park, the team visited the Persimmon Gap and Panther Junction Visitor’s Center and the Chisos Basin. The team also enjoyed the beautiful view of the mountains from the Chisos Mountain lodge restaurant and gift shop.

AdventGX Makes Presentation to Cuauhtemoc, Mexico Tourism Board
AdventGX was recently invited to Cuauhtemoc in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico to make a presentation on the AdventGX Strategy Deployment process and discuss ways that AdventGX might help with the region’s rural tourism and economic development initiative. Following the meetings and site visit, the board invited AdventGX to present a proposal for a tourism strategy deployment.

AdventGX Launches Journey Builder Product with Far Flung Outdoor Center
Far Flung Outdoor Center Partners to Pilot Web Marketing and Operations Management ToolsAdventGX is proud to announce the launch of its newest web based software for boutique tourism operators. More than three years in development, Journey Builder provides tourism businesses and attractions with a suite of back office tools to help grow their experiential tourism business.

JourneyBuilder provides online reservations and marketing tools, news and information management functionality and state of the art management tools all designed for ease of use for operators and the travelers they serve. AdventGX launched the pilot in association with Far Flung Outdoor Center of Terlingua, Texas. Far Flung was recently featured in a Wall Street Journal article about travel opportunities in the Big Bend.