Econ Dev Show Podcast - Economic Development - Episodes Tagged with “Tourism”

188: Site Selectors Often Experience Your City First as Visitors with Tulsa's Renee McKenney

Dane Carlson — Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:15:00 -0500

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Renee McKenney, Senior Vice President of Tourism for the Tulsa Regional Chamber and President of Tulsa Regional Tourism. Renee shares how Tulsa has leveraged its unique history, Route 66 heritage, and creative culture to attract visitors, residents, and businesses. From hosting major sporting events and revitalizing Black Wall Street to promoting film, music, and culinary scenes, Tulsa is redefining itself as a vibrant destination. Renee also explains how integrating tourism with economic development under the chamber umbrella creates a powerful synergy that fuels placemaking, business attraction, and civic pride

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10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

Integrate tourism and economic development--site selectors often experience your city first as visitors.
Identify and elevate authentic community assets (history, culture, sports, etc.).
Lean into storytelling; narratives like Route 66 or Black Wall Street resonate nationally.
Invest in placemaking that surprises and delights both locals and visitors.
Use large-scale events (sports, festivals, shows) as business attraction opportunities.
Partner with creative industries (film, music, arts) to build brand identity.
Capitalize on civic pride to mobilize communities around unique initiatives.
Focus on accessibility and vibe because livability drives both talent and business attraction.
Treat tourism as "importing money and exporting experiences."
Always be ready for your "prime time": community investments build toward big moments like centennials, championships, or global events.

Special Guest: Renee McKenney.

Sponsored By:

Sitehunt: If your property data is scattered or out of date, you're losing projects. Sitehunt gives economic developers an AI-powered property database and instant RFI responses. Schedule a demo today!

Links:

149: Mastering Community Events and Economic Growth with Lynn Fuhler

Dane Carlson — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 00:15:00 -0600

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, tourism expert Lynn Fuhler, former tourism director of Clearwater and Clearwater Beach area and author of two books on festival management, discusses the intricacies of organizing successful events and festivals. She shares her experience as the former chairman of the Clearwater Jazz Holiday, insights on community revitalization through arts and tourism, and emphasizes the importance of proper event planning, including post-event evaluation and the four key elements necessary for tourism development.

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Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

Focus on sustainable tourism initiatives rather than just chasing big industrial projects
Ensure four key elements are in place: government support, infrastructure, community support, and proper planning
Use events and festivals as consistent economic drivers rather than relying solely on large, unstable employers
Implement thorough post-event evaluation processes to continuously improve
Build strong volunteer networks and management systems for community events
Create infrastructure that serves multiple purposes (like transportation routes that benefit both tourism and industry)
Recognize the role of arts communities in revitalizing declining areas
Document processes and maintain organized records for event planning continuity
Consider tourism as a reliable employer for entry-level and service industry workers
Foster collaboration between government, business, and community stakeholders for successful tourism initiatives

Special Guest: Lynn Fuhler.

Links:

143: Dane on DMP: Why Destination Marketers Should Think Like Economic Developers

Dane Carlson — Fri, 04 Oct 2024 00:15:00 -0500

About a month ago, I had the opportunity to appear on my friend Adam Stoker's Destination Marketing Podcast. Then, just a couple of weeks ago, Adam joined me right here on the Econ Dev Show. We thought it would be fun to switch things up and share our respective podcast episodes on each other's feeds. So, today’s episode is a bonus feature—you're about to hear my appearance on the Destination Marketing Podcast!

If you're interested in destination marketing, or want to know more about the work I did in Mariposa County, California, sit back, relax, and enjoy this special episode of the Destination Marketing Podcast."

In this episode, Adam talks with Dane Carlson, host of the Econ Dev Show and CEO of Site Hunt, about the crucial link between tourism and economic development. Dane shares his journey from blogging to economic development, including how he transformed Mariposa California by adding an escape room to the visitor center. Dane also emphasizes the importance of collaboration between economic developers and destination marketers to create meaningful visitor experiences and drive local economic growth.

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Special Guest: Adam Stoker.

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142: Economic Strategies in Maine with Anne Krieg

Dane Carlson — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 06:00:00 -0500

In this engaging episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane is joined by Anne Krieg, the Director of Community and Economic Development for Bangor, Maine. Anne provides an insightful overview of Bangor's economic landscape, emphasizing that while tourism is a major economic driver in Maine, Bangor relies more heavily on its medical centers and educational institutions, such as the Northern Light Medical Center and the University of Maine. She discusses the effective use of federal funds to revitalize underserved neighborhoods and the significant challenges that rural communities face due to limited staffing. Through her experience and perspective, Anne highlights the importance of community-focused planning and the need for systemic changes in regional development strategies to foster lasting economic growth.

10 Actionable Insights

Livability: Focus on making your community a desirable place to live with walkable neighborhoods, good parks, and quality education. This attracts both residents and businesses who want a high quality of life.
Community Engagement: Adopt a conversational, bottom-up approach to development. Involve the community in discussions to ensure that plans meet local needs and gain their support.
Long-term Planning: Develop and think in terms of 5, 10, 15, and 20-year plans. Strategic foresight ensures sustainable development and adaptability to future needs.
Promote Your City: Actively market your city to the outside world. Attend trade shows and tell your city's story to attract new investments and visitors.
Utilize Unique Assets: Leverage unique local assets like municipal airports and foreign trade zones. Highlight and make full use of distinctive infrastructure to drive economic opportunities.
Collaborate Regionally: Foster informal regional collaborations. Work with neighboring communities to address broader economic challenges and opportunities.
Support Rural Areas: Provide assistance to smaller rural communities that lack staff and resources. Offer guidance and resources to help them navigate development challenges.
Implementing Strategies: Focus on executing developed economic strategies. Turn plans into action by ensuring your team is dedicated to following through on strategies.
Holistic Approach: Employ planners who can see the bigger picture and integrate various aspects of city planning into economic development. A holistic view can create more cohesive and well-rounded development initiatives.
Sustainable Partnerships: Establish ongoing partnerships with local institutions and organizations. Collaboration with local entities ensures continuous support and resources for development projects.

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Special Guest: Anne Krieg.

Sponsored By:

Sitehunt: If your property data is scattered or out of date, you're losing projects. Sitehunt gives economic developers an AI-powered property database and instant RFI responses. Schedule a demo today!

Links:

126: 1Berkshire's Wraparound Approach to Economic Development with Ben Lamb

Dane Carlson — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 00:15:00 -0500

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson engages with Ben Lamb, Vice President of Economic Development at 1Berkshire in Massachusetts, to unravel the synergistic blend of economic growth and tourism in the Berkshires. Ben illuminates the unique approach of integrating cultural and economic vibrancy within a rural context, underlining the strategic application of 'wraparound economic development.' This concept not only aims at job creation and business enhancement but also keenly addresses broader community needs, including housing and transit, thus fostering a holistic regional development.

The discussion ventures into the evolving demographics and economic shifts in the Berkshires, emphasizing post-pandemic transformations and the region's increasing diversity. Ben underscores the significance of fostering connectivity and collaborative efforts across geographic and sectoral boundaries, positioning the Berkshires as a pivotal hub for innovation and cultural richness in the Northeast. This episode is a treasure trove of insights for economic developers and community strategists alike, offering profound lessons on leveraging adaptability, collaboration, and community-centric approaches to catalyze sustainable regional prosperity.

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Special Guest: Ben Lamb.

Sponsored By:

Sitehunt: If your property data is scattered or out of date, you're losing projects. Sitehunt gives economic developers an AI-powered property database and instant RFI responses. Schedule a demo today!

Links:

102: The Intersection of Podcasting and Economic Development with Jennifer Olson

Dane Carlson — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 00:15:00 -0500

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson sits down with Jennifer Olson, Director of Business Development for the city of Marion, Illinois, discussing the impact of her podcast "Small Town, Big Business" and delving into the economic development and revitalization efforts in her town. They discuss the challenges and rewards of running a successful podcast, the importance of small businesses in rural communities, and the significance of tourism in Marion.

The episode begins with an insightful discussion about the "Small Town, Big Business" podcast, co-hosted by Jennifer Olson. Exploring the triumphs and tribulations of small businesses in rural areas, the podcast serves as a platform to inspire others towards entrepreneurship. Jennifer talks about the importance of consistency in releasing episodes, the impact of the podcast's storytelling on weaving deeper connections between local businesses and the community, and the often underestimated potency of mentorship in entrepreneurial success.

Diving deeper, Dane and Jennifer touch on Marion's strategic position as a hub for industries like manufacturing, distribution, healthcare, and retail. Notwithstanding its relatively small population, Marion sees its size nearly doubled every day due to incoming commuters. With an upcoming jet service connecting the city to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, they articulate on the fresh wave of opportunities this development would bring. The dialogue then traverses to the extensive tourism potential of Marion, its resilient history symbolically termed "Little Eygpt," and the enduring relevance of attractions like the Shawnee National Forest and a developed wine trail.

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Special Guest: Jennifer Olson.

Sponsored By:

KathodeRay Media, Inc.: ![KathodeRay](https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/f/f078f684-f72f-4a43-957d-de3aff69810b/pIhKskzG.jpg) [KathodeRay](https://kathoderay.com) is a full-service marketing agency that connects government organizations to their community. This small (but mighty) woman owned and operated marketing agency can help your community thrive. They use tried and true methods that will connect your organization to your residents using social, digital and traditional media. [https://kathoderay.com](https://kathoderay.com)

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86: Building an Outdoor Economy with Thomas Salley

Dane Carlson — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Nationally, outdoor recreation is a $788 billion dollar industry, accounting for 2.1% of U.S. GDP and 5.2 million jobs in 2019. In North Carolina, the outdoor recreation economy accounted for 2 percent ($12.1 billion) of the state GDP and created 151,661 jobs in the state.

Thomas Salley, the director of tourism for the City of Wilkesboro, North Carolina knows this all too well. He's an integral part of a team working to create a community-led vision and 15-year roadmap to grow the outdoor economy and encourage active living in Wilkes County.

The group is focusing on the planning and development of outdoor recreation infrastructure projects such as trails, greenways, destination-quality parks, attractive downtowns, and the creation of multi-use public spaces suitable for major events and festivals. These projects contribute significantly to the quality of life for local residents, help grow small businesses, and attract visitors.

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Special Guest: Thomas Salley.

Sponsored By:

KathodeRay Media, Inc.: ![KathodeRay](https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/f/f078f684-f72f-4a43-957d-de3aff69810b/pIhKskzG.jpg) [KathodeRay](https://kathoderay.com) is a full-service marketing agency that connects government organizations to their community. This small (but mighty) woman owned and operated marketing agency can help your community thrive. They use tried and true methods that will connect your organization to your residents using social, digital and traditional media. [https://kathoderay.com](https://kathoderay.com)

Links:

65: A Tourism Director Who Thinks Like an Economic Developer with Thomas Salley

Dane Carlson — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 00:15:00 -0500

Thomas Salley is the Director of the Wilkesboro Tourism Development Authority. He is passionate about rural development, hospitality and tourism, and it shows.

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Special Guest: Thomas Salley.

Sponsored By:

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