What Friends of SWVA Can Do For You What is Southwest Virginia?
Southwest Virginia is a 19 county, four city and 54 town region that makes up the southwestern corner of the state and shares a border with North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky and West Virginia.
Who We Are
The Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Foundation, established in 2008 by the Virginia General Assembly as a state foundation, and the Friends of Southwest Virginia, a 501(c)3 non-profit, work together with a joint mission of developing a creative economy in Southwest Virginia. From the arts and music of the region to cultural goods and services capitalized through tourism to research and development, the joint work of the Foundation and the non-profit is revolutionizing the rural economic development system of Southwest Virginia and providing thousands of new jobs to the people of this region. Key initiatives include: · Branding and marketing SWVA to the world as a distinct cultural and adventure destination. · Developing and sustaining Heartwood: Gateway to Southwest Virginia as a visitor and cultural center. · Expanding outdoor recreation development initiatives and marketing throughout SWVA. · Creating new jobs throughout the region through creative economy start-ups connected to cultural, heritage and outdoor recreation developments.
Tourism Marketing
Heartwood: Gateway to SWVA
On your behalf: · Promote Southwest Virginia as a premiere travel destination · Promote your destination through the following: · Region-wide marketing collateral · Consumer website: MySWVA.org · Partner website: FriendsOfSWVA.org · Press releases and travel media familiarization tours · Direct marketing campaigns · Regional itineraries · Region-wide advertising campaigns · Electronic consumer and group email newsletters · Social media promotion
Co-op support: · Regional visitor center and promotion of regional brochures and events · Regional artisan marketplace in partnership with Round the Mountain: Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Network · Regional music promotion as the retail center and headquarters of The Crooked Road: VA’s Heritage Music Trail · Southwest Virginia merchandise headquarters and wholesale program with the Winze Company · Promotion and marketing of regional products and gifts · Promotion and use of regional foods, products and beverages in the Heartwood Restaurant
Co-op opportunities: · Southwest Virginia Mountain Brew Trail – Regional brew trail · SWVA Community Marketing Co-Op · Southwest Virginia merchandise and wholesale
No cost assistance: · Regional visitor center and promotion of regional brochures and events
No cost assistance: · Community and business listings on MySWVA.org in partnership with Virginia.org · Promote tourism via social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter YouTube, Snapchat · Opportunity to post special offers and packages · Expert advice from SWVA staff members on research, public relations, advertising, product collateral development, social media and other tourism industry-related topics · Distribute brochures at Heartwood: Gateway to Southwest Virginia · Representatives available to speak at programs, conferences, and community meetings
Community & Economic Development No cost assistance: · Action group facilitation and planning · Anchor area development and planning · In-depth product development planning and assistance · Grant development, administration and implementation · Capacity building and community engagement strategies · Creative economy start-up business assistance · Business collaborative strategic support
#SWVA | myswva.org | FriendsofSWVA.org
SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA FOOTPRINT
Friends of Southwest Virginia Contacts Administration
Community & Economic Development Emily Mayo Tourism & Recreation Development Specialist Friends of SWVA emayo@myswva.org 276-492-2412
Chris Cannon Executive Director Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Foundation | Friends of SWVA ccannon@myswva.org 276-492-2424 Krystal Mosley Office Manager & Bookkeeper Friends of SWVA kmosley@myswva.org; accounting@myswva.org
Marketing Jenna Wagner Public Relations & Marketing Director Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Foundation | Friends of SWVA jwagner@myswva.org; marketing@myswva.org 276-492-2422
Heartwood
Bree Willging Heartwood Sales, Marketing, & Events Coordinator Heartwood | Friends of SWVA bwillging@myswva.org 276-492-2423 Jamee Gillespie Artisan Marketplace Manager Heartwood | Guest Services Inc. (GSI) heartwoodretail@guestservices.com 276-492-2403
Idalina Walker Tourism & Recreation Development Specialist Friends of SWVA iwalker@myswva.org 276-492-2405 Marcia Dempsey Development Programs Administrator Friends of SWVA mdempsey@myswva.org 276-492-2415
Chef Charles Parker SWVA Culinary Ambassador Heartwood | Guest Services Inc. (GSI) heartwoodchef@guestservices.com 276-492-2414 Matt Wiley SWVA Visitor Services Specialist SWVA Visitor Center | Heartwood Reception visitorscenter@myswva.org 276-492-2400