News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Upper Cumberland Tourism Association will host a series of meetings to develop a unified branding plan for the region.
Executive Director Billie Davis said citizens can work with marketing agency Chandlerthinks to develop a cohesive plan to attract visitors to the Upper Cumberland. Davis said the main goal of the events is to encourage everyone in the region to look at themselves as one united community.
“We’re drawing people into this region,” Davis said. “We’re not drawing people specifically into DeKalb County or Putnam County or Cumberland County. We want them in this region and there’s so much to do here. So part of this goal is for the counties and the community to also get to that point where they see us collectively.”
Davis said they want to hear from people and businesses that are related to tourism in any way. Davis said that includes local specialty restaurants, state park leaders, marinas, breweries and wineries, hotels, and biking or hiking clubs.
“There’s a whole list,” Davis said. “So just take a look at the list and see if your voice is in there. And if it’s not and you still want to be a part, join us.”
There will be meetings in Baxter on Thursday, September 19 and Friday, September 20, meetings in Livingston on Thursday, October 3 and Friday, 4, meetings in McMinnville on Friday, October 11 and Saturday, October 12, and meetings in Cookeville on Tuesday, October 15 and Wednesday, October 16.
Davis said they worked with UCDD, Tennessee Tech, Chandlerthinks, and the state to choose meeting locations that will provide access to the whole region.
“We’re doing one in McMinnville,” Davis said. “And the hope there is to be able to capture Cannon, Warren, Van Buren, and White if they need to. We’re doing one in Putnam that’s going to hopefully capture Smith, Putnam, DeKalb, and Cumberland. And then we’re doing one in Livingston that’s going to be able to capture, you know, the Jackson, Fentress, Pickett, Clay, Macon.”
Davis said people will be able to attend their final meeting in Cookeville via Zoom.
“We prefer everyone to attend in person,” Davis said. “It’s a very hands-on workshop with the branding team. So we would love for everyone to attend in person, but because we want to include as much people as possible, we do have that last option that’s in Cookeville.”
Davis said all of the events are free but anyone who wishes to attend must register beforehand.
