| :: Initiatives |
| :. AGX Evaluates Nature Tourism Opportunities in Mexico’s Cuauhtemoc Region |
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| :: Meetings/Presentations/Workshops |
| :. Van Horn’s Jeff McCoy Represents Texas Mountain Trail at TxDOT Meeting |
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| :: Projects |
| :. Van Horn Economic Development Initiative Making Strides |
| :. 2007-2008 Big Bend Texas Mountain Travel Guide Goes to Press |
| :. Parral Woodcraft Product Line Taking Shape |
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| :: Team News |
| :. AGX Welcomes Victor Aguilar as Newest Executive Advisory Board Member |
| :. AGX Team Tours Kerrville’s YO Ranch |
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| Initiatives |
| AGX Evaluates Nature Tourism Opportunities in Mexico’s Cuauhtemoc Region |
| AdventGX Executive Advisory Board member Jed Elrod joined President Jose Quintana on a visit to Cuauhtemoc in the Mexican state of Chihuahua to evaluate opportunities to establish nature tourism operations. Cuauhtemoc enjoys a rich cultural heritage and an abundance of natural assets which properly developed could form the basis of an experiential tourism center for the state. AdventGX is working with state and local government and existing business owners to identify potential projects and establish mechanisms for supporting new small businesses in the region targeting the growing experiential tourism market.
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| Meetings/Presentations/Workshops |
| Van Horn’s Jeff McCoy Represents Texas Mountain Trail at TxDOT Meeting |
Van Horn Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Jeff McCoy, who also serves as president of the Texas Mountain Trail board of directors, represented the trail during a recent Texas Transportation Commission meeting. The commission recently announced plans to cut transportation enhancement funds, the primary source of funding for the Texas Heritage Trails program which provides a marketing and development venue for cultural and heritage trails programs throughout the state. Jeff spoke about the importance of the program, particularly for small communities who rely on such innovative programs to bolster tourism and brings funds into ailing communities.
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| Projects |
| Van Horn Economic Development Initiative Making Strides |
| The ongoing Van Horn Economic Development Initiative is picking up momentum and the project is poised for an exceptional year in 2007. The Van Horn Foundation was granted 501c3 status from the IRS- this will help the community to seek granting and fundraising opportunities more aggressively. Making big news for local housing and accommodations are plans for the new Texas Mountains Apartments, Texas Mountain Lodge and Base Camp facilities which are all in the funding stages. On the business development front, Van Horn Economic Development Corporation took ownership of the Willis Building in the Main Street District and is taking steps to replace the roof, windows and doors in preparation for work on what will soon be the new Texas Mountain Mercantile retail incubator. The EDC board and city council recently reviewed and approved a comprehensive marketing plan including plans for a new web presence that will promote the Convention Center and Visitor’s Bureau and the Economic Development Corporation and offer enhanced Town of Van Horn services. The plan builds on campaigns and themes established in the new Van Horn Visitor’s Guide and the CCVB’s full page ad prominently featured on the back cover of the 2007-2008 Big Bend Texas Mountains Travel Guide. Finally, Van Horn’s longstanding Trans Pecos Big Buck Tournament enjoyed an excellent turnout as the community continues to build its name as a prime spot for Texas big game hunting.
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| 2007-2008 Big Bend Texas Mountain Travel Guide Goes to Press |
| CPY Printing sent along some Christmas cheer as the AdventGX creative services team was wrapping up production of the 2007-2008 Big Bend Texas Mountains Travel Guide. Guide editor Joan Tatge worked with designer Katrina Hay and advertising manager Lindsey Hafner to get the publication to press in time for the team to take a well earned holiday break. The new guides are expected to hit racks by middle of January. Many thanks to our printing partner CPY for their exceptional service and support throughout the production process.
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| Parral Woodcraft Product Line Taking Shape |
| The woodcrafters of the Parral Woodcraft Consortium (PWC) have been busily developing product for the new line of fine rustic furniture and decorative items to be marketed throughout Texas and the U.S. The first pieces of furniture arrived at the Van Horn distribution center and were photographed for marketing purposes. Pricing has been set for an initial limited line of furnishings including coffee tables, end tables, a desk, barstool and bar, all of which have been very well received by resellers. PWC will manufacture the Texas Mountain Brand line of products which will initially be sold at fine retailers throughout far west Texas. With the first print ads featured in the new Big Bend and Texas Mountains Travel Guide expected to hit racks in January, interest and sales are expected to pick up with the region’s spring travel season.
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| Team News |
| AGX Welcomes Victor Aguilar as Newest Executive Advisory Board Member |
Victor Aguilar is an independent financial advisor and trust officer. He provides financial services to private and institutional investors seeking expertise in wealth management, real estate investments, insurance, and trust administration. Victor previously worked for Stanford Financial Group, JP Morgan Chase and Merrill Lynch as a financial advisor with an active portfolio of new business in excess of 40 million for US and Latin American clients. He previously held the position of Agricultural Specialist for the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) a USDA Agency at the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala. Victor served as member of the board of directors for Sending Out Servants, a Texas non-profit dedicated to improving the Maya quality of life in Guatemala. He holds a Master’s Degree in Agricultural Economics and a Bachelor’s Degree in Agronomy, both from Texas A&M University.
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| AGX Team Tours Kerrville’s YO Ranch |
| As part of its ongoing evaluation of successful nature and heritage tourism operations throughout the state, AdventGX team members and interns visited the YO Ranch in Kerrville and participated in the Ranch’s History and Wildlife Tour. The group enjoyed viewing a broad range of exotic species including a Dromedary Camel from Africa, Blackbuck Antelope from Western Pakistan, Auodad Sheep from North Africa, Sika Deer from Japan and African Wildebeest. The highlight of the tour was an up close and personal visit with YO’s family of giraffes. Mom Iman and Dad Enoch (known as the “Gentle Giant”) will soon be grandparents when daughter Carlita gives birth (sometime very soon). Many thanks to Debbie Hagebusch for her love and care of the animals, the exceptional tour and telling of YO’s history.
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