News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Upper Cumberland Tourism Association has a new Executive Director.
Patti Purdy replaces Ruth Dyal who is retiring after 13 years in the position. Purdy said she plans to transition the push from outdoor activities to focusing more on the culture of the region.
“Lots of great artists that live in the Upper Cumberland and give them some good light,” Purdy said. “So people that are visiting our region know that we are rich in that. Also, we have all the different breweries. We have all the different wineries. We have galleries. We have museums.”
Purdy said she plans by doing this by implementing more social media use. Purdy said digital marketing was her career beforehand and can be an avenue to bring in more tourists.
“Anybody that is a part of tourism or Upper Cumberland I am really going to explain to them what social media is about and how it is so key in this region,” Purdy said. “You would be surprised how many people don’t use social media still. It is very important to our region and to tourism.”
Purdy said living in Granville when the Sutton Store first opened inspired her to work in tourism. Purdy said seeing how hard a community will work to develop makes her want to do the same thing for others.
“When I had the opportunity to be involved with something like that I wanted to do it,” Purdy said. “I know what it took for that community, and since over the past couple of years of working with Ruth, I also know the what the other communities have to do to grow.”
The Upper Cumberland Tourism Association is a non-profit that works with all 14 counties to showcase what they have to offer.
