Fall Tourism Summit - NC State Economics Professor Speaks

Elkin, NC—Noted economics professor Michael Walden will be the featured keynote speaker at the Fall Tourism Summit 2011 on Thursday, Oct. 6 at The Elkin Center of Surry Community College. Walden will speak about the economic outlook for the U.S. as part of a tourism summit sponsored by The Cascade Highlands Tourism Association. Walden is a William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor and N.C. Cooperative Extension economist with North Carolina State University. He has published eight books and over 250 articles and reports. He directs the semiannual economic forecast, The North Carolina Economic Outlook. Additional keynote addresses for the summit include Nancy Gottovi of Central Park NC and Beth Fields of Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center. These organizations will discuss how they are involved in rural economic development and tourism in their community. The summit will take place on Oct. 6 at The Elkin Center from 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. The Cascade Highlands Tourism Association is a nonprofit destination marketing organization promoting northwest North Carolina and southwest Virginia. Register for the summit online by Oct. 5 at www.trueblueridge.org/summit.