MORGANTOWN, W.VA. JAN. 23, 2025) — "Building Relationships and Enhancing Our Reputation" - that's the focus of the upcoming Mountaineer Country Tourism Summit hosted by the Visit Mountaineer Country Convention and Visitors Bureau (VMCCVB) on May 5, 2025, at West Virginia University's (WVU) Erickson Alumni Center. 

Tourism partners, including local shops, restaurants, lodging properties, community leaders, attractions and outfitters, are invited to participate in this one-day event that brings together tourism stakeholders from North-Central West Virginia (NCWV), also known as Mountaineer Country, to learn, network and collaborate with industry peers. 

 "We are excited to once again bring our tourism partners together for the third annual summit. This year, we've worked closely with our industry partners to understand their needs and challenges, which has allowed us to craft our most impactful agenda yet. We've carefully selected topics, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities that directly address the evolving landscape of tourism in North-Central West Virginia," said Susan Riddle, president and CEO of the VMCCVB. “Mountaineer Country continues to play a vital role in West Virginia’s economic growth, and this event allows us to collaborate, share ideas, and showcase the incredible potential of our region as a leading destination.” 

 The Summit will feature a diverse range of topics, including utilizing CVB resources, workforce development, social media strategies, and the future of West Virginia tourism. It will include group sessions, panels and breakout discussions covering key areas such as hospitality training, advertising techniques and leveraging technology in tourism. 

Guest speakers include Chelsea Ruby from the West Virginia Department of Tourism, who will discuss workforce and the future of West Virginia tourism, and keynote speaker Sean Cowan from Fahlgren Mortine who will dive in deep to all things AI and social media. 

 “The Mountaineer Country Convention and Visitors Bureau has hosted their Tourism Summit for the past few years, and I've found each year to get even better,” said West Virginia Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby. “The sessions were engaging, the connections were invaluable, and the takeaways were immediately useful. I know time is a precious resource for small businesses, but this summit is an investment you won’t regret. It’s packed with tools and strategies to help you attract more visitors and grow your business. 

The event will conclude with a "Taste of Mountaineer Country" reception, offering attendees a chance to experience local flavors and continue networking. 

 The full agenda will be released in February. Go to https://visitmountaineercountry.ticketspice.com/2025-mountaineer-country-tourism-summit to register, or email Kathryn Carter at Kathryn@VisitMountaineerCountry.com for more information.

Registration Link: https://visitmountaineercountry.ticketspice.com/2025-mountaineer-country-tourism-summit