| :: Initiatives |
| :. Van Horn EDC Accepts TEEX/AGX Technical Assistance Proposal |
| :. AGX Launches Parral Woodcraft Consortium |
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| :: Meetings/Presentations/Workshops |
| :. O’Leary, Skadberg Present at Tourism Week Celebration in Brenham, Texas |
| :. Skadberg Presents at “Capitalizing on Rural America – Missouri” |
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| :: Projects |
| :. AGX Visits Alpine, TX Chamber of Commerce |
| :. AGX Visits Big Bend Texas Mountain Travel Guide Sites |
| :. Tatge, Quintana Present Guide Plan to BBTMTA Board |
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| :: Team News |
| :. Ed Brooker Joins AdventGX Executive Advisory Board |
| :. Brian Smith Joins AdventGX Executive Advisory Board |
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| Initiatives |
| Van Horn EDC Accepts TEEX/AGX Technical Assistance Proposal |
The Van Horn Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors approved a joint proposal by the Technology and Economic Development Division of the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) and AdventGX to provide technical assistance in support of Van Horn’s ongoing economic development initiative. Together, TEEX and AGX will develop the Town of Van Horn’s Road Improvements Plan and Beautification Strategy, providing research and identifying viable options for landscape design improvements to key roadways within and entering the Town of Van Horn. The team will create conceptual landscape designs for entrances into and key roadways within Van Horn for use in communicating plans to the residents of Van Horn as well as prospective sponsors of specific Van Horn projects.
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| AGX Launches Parral Woodcraft Consortium |
| After a series of meetings and presentations to woodcrafters from Parral, Chihuahau, Mexico, AdventGX has officially launched the Parral Woodcraft Consortium, a Texas corporation that will provide marketing, manufacturing and distribution support for member manufacturers of handcrafted items such a picture frames, furniture, and various leather items to be distributed throughout the United States. The consortium will support regional economic and tourism development initiatives underway in Van Horn, TX as well as Parral, Mexico. |
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| Meetings/Presentations/Workshops |
| O’Leary, Skadberg Present at Tourism Week Celebration in Brenham, Texas |
On May 16, AdventGX Board Member Dr. Joe O’Leary, head of Texas A&M’s Department of Recreation Parks and Tourism Sciences, and AGX Chief Knowledge Officer Dr. Andy Skadberg presented to the Tourism Partners of Washington County, civic and business leaders, the Brenham Rotary Club and others from Washington County who are interested in promoting area tourism. Among the community leaders in attendance were Paul Kruse, CEO and president of Blue Bell Ice Cream. Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau Marketing and Sales Manager Keith Godwin, who is also a member of the AGX Executive Advisory Board, organized the event to showcase the many ways that tourism impacts Washington County’s economy. Washington County, home to Washington on the Brazos – the birthplace of Texas – is a growing center for heritage, nature and other forms of experiential tourism in Texas.
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| Skadberg Presents at “Capitalizing on Rural America – Missouri” |
| AdventGX Chief Knowledge Officer Dr. Andy Skadberg presented in Osage Beach, Missouri at a conference hosted by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines. 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. Attendance is equally split between banking executives and community economic development professionals. 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 Ben Stein and Bill Curtis. |
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| Projects |
| AGX Visits Alpine, TX Chamber of Commerce |
Jose Quintana and Joan Tatge stopped in for a visit with Alpine Chamber of Commerce Director Johnny Johnson during their recent visit to far West Texas and discussed Alpine’s participation in the 2007-2008 Big Bend Texas Mountain Travel Guide. Johnson shared information about Alpine’s many cultural events, from Cowboy poetry to stage productions that attract tourists to the area. The Chamber takes an active role in promoting and supporting Alpine events, providing visitors with a great selection of activities and in turn contributing to the town’s growing economy. Pictured below is a sampling of the posters the Chamber creates to promote area events.
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| AGX Visits Big Bend Texas Mountain Travel Guide Sites |
During their recent trip to West Texas for a Big Bend Texas Mountain Travel Guide project meeting, Joan Tatge and Jose Quintana enjoyed a tour of Alpine’s Maverick Hotel and visited the Museum of the Big Bend, also in Alpine. During the trip they also stopped at Marathon’s historic Gage Hotel. Both communities will be well represented in the upcoming 2007-2008 Big Bend Texas Mountain Travel Guide which AdventGX is producing under contract with the Big Bend Texas Mountain Travel Association.
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| Tatge, Quintana Present Guide Plan to BBTMTA Board |
| Jose Quintana and Joan Tatge presented an update on the progress of the 2007-2008 Big Bend Texas Mountain Travel Guide to the Travel Association’s Board of Directors during a meeting of the group in Alpine, Texas. The Big Bend Texas Mountain Travel Association contracted with AdventGX for turnkey services to produce both the print and online edition of the 2007-2008 guide. Advertising sales for the guide continue through July 31st and the guide is set to print late this year. The online travel guide will feature enhanced web promotion and analytics for participants, enabling advertisers to track the effectiveness of their online promotions. |
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| Team News |
| Ed Brooker Joins AdventGX Executive Advisory Board |
Ed Brooker is a campground and RV park consultant, assisting potential owners with building an RV Park or campground as RV Park and campground management consulting, planning and design. Ed has managed a number of parks, campgrounds and RV parks for a variety of public and private corporations. For the past 15 years, he has offered customized consulting services specifically targeted towards newcomers to the industry and veteran operators across Canada, the United States and Australia. Ed has traveled extensively throughout Canada, the United States, Western, Central and Eastern Europe, Australia and New Zealand in a continuous search for insights of best practices, unique design, and promotional ideas. Ed is now pursuing a PhD through the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, with a focus on the International Use of Foresight and Innovation within the Outdoor Hospitality Industry.
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| Brian Smith Joins AdventGX Executive Advisory Board |
| AdventGX is pleased to welcome Brian Smith to the Executive Advisory Board. Brian is a licensed attorney in the State of Texas and a Certified Economic Developer. He currently serves as a Government Affairs Representative for such clients as Texas Association of Public Educators Interlocal Agreement Self-Insurance League, and Texas Association of Political Subdivisions Interlocal Agreement Self-Insurance League. In this capacity, he provides legislative support for the roughly 110 member school districts and 93 member political subdivisions. He also represents developers before local governmental bodies across the state with permitting, land use, and other ordinance compliance matters. |
