Interactions + Attractions UPLIFT NC

Join us this week as we talk with Susan Dosier! Susan is the President of DK Communications Group, a marketing and content company with a focus on food, film agriculture and tourism. With a background as a journalist and publishing executive for 18 years, she seamlessly transitioned into marketing, bringing a unique perspective to her work. Since 2011, when Susan and her partner, Desmond, created DK Communications Group, they have been using words and pictures, marketing, PR and digital strategies to help their publication and marketing clients reach their business goals. To learn more about DK Communications Group visit: https://www.dkcommunicationsgroup.com/ and be sure to stay updated on what UPLIFT is doing: https://www.uplifttourism.com/.

Join us as we get to talk with Haley Overturf! Haley is the Branding Content Coordinator for Visit High Point. Her role is primarily managing the digital content, which includes the website, newsletter, and social media. She also works with the Vice President of Branding on the point collateral, which is where she gets to connect the most with local partners. She spends a lot of time communicating with partners about exciting events they are hosting or updates they're making to their offerings. She loves getting to know Visit High Point's partners and seeing their passion for the community! To learn more about Visit High Point you can go here: https://visithighpoint.com/ and be sure to stay updated on what UPLIFT is doing here: https://www.uplifttourism.com/.

Join us as we talk with Adam Stoker! Adam is the co-founder, president and CEO of Relic, a full-service destination marketing agency. For over 15 years, Adam has excelled in the travel, stakeholder engagement, and destination branding spheres. He is a frequent speaker and collaborator at industry events nationwide, speaking at the Utah Tourism Conference, Texas Travel Summit, several Destinations International events, and more. A passionate thought leader in the world of owned media, Adam speaks on the power of branded content and the success his clients have seen with this bold strategy. Be sure to check out the Destination Marketing Podcast that Adam hosts here: https://destinationmarketingpodcast.com/, Relic Agency here: https://relicagency.com/about/, and watch the 'Traveling the Spectrum' trailer that Adam mentioned here: https://travelingthespectrumshow.com/. Also stay updated on what UPLIFT is doing at https://www.uplifttourism.com/.

Join us as we talk to innovative Founder, esteemed Career Basketball Coach, and former Professional Basketball Player, Marquetta “Coach Q” Dickens! Marquetta has devoted her career to fostering growth and development in value-aligned environments. Dickens is steadfast in her mission to generate opportunities that nurture personal growth, driven by her commitment to empower each individual to realize their potential and contribute meaningfully to society. Dickens is the driving force behind Freedom Org, a Community Development Corporation, which is committed to devising comprehensive, holistic solutions for traditionally under-resourced communities. Driven by her commitment to living faithfully and uphold her family’s legacy of societal transformation, she founded the organization to foster economic development, equitable educational alternatives, agricultural independence, and the preservation of heritage within these communities. To learn more visit https://www.freedomorg.org/.

Join us as we talk with Amanda Lugenbell! Amanda is the Assistant Director at the Blowing Rock Tourism Development Authority, a role she’s been adapting to since 2007. She's the go-to gal for communications and media relations, along with content strategy and website management. She graduated from Appstate’s Hospitality & Tourism Management program and started her hospitality career in local restaurants before taking on new challenges in the destination marketing realm. It’s a field she finds endlessly engaging because she believes in the transformative impact tourism has on small businesses and communities. On this episode we got to speak with her about itinerary building for both marketing and leisure travel! Be sure to explore the Blowing Rock website at https://blowingrock.com/ where you can see some of the itineraries that they have put together! Also stay updated on what UPLIFT is doing at https://www.uplifttourism.com/.

Join us this week as we talk to Lisa Rueh! Lisa serves as the Main Street Grants Administrator for the North Carolina Main Street Rural Planning Center at the North Carolina Department of Commerce, where she manages the Downtown Revitalization and Rural Community Capacity categories of the Rural Transformation Grant Fund. Prior to her current position, Lisa worked for Downtown Morehead City as Executive Director. She appreciates seeing transformational grant projects come to fruition, likes traveling the state, and enjoys exploring her hometown in the Southern Outer Banks. Please be sure to check out https://www.ncmainstreetandplanning.com/organization where you can find the link to the Resource & Funding Guide! Also, be sure to stay updated on what's happening at UPLIFT: https://www.uplifttourism.com/.