Episoder
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Join us as we talk with Joey Bennett! Joey is Director of the Cole Auditorium at Richmond Community College, having earned an associate degree from Richmond Community College and an undergrad degree and a M.B.A. from UNC-Pembroke. He has been with Richmond Community College Cole Auditorium full-time since 2001 and has served as Auditorium Director since 2008.
A born-again believer in Jesus Christ, Joey is blessed with the opportunity to serve in numerous capacities at Sweet Haven Church of Rockingham. An active and proud member of the Richmond County community, Joey has served in the past on several local boards. Currently, Joey is the chair of the allocation committees for the Richmond County United Way, serves on the planning committee for Leadership Richmond, and serves on the Hamlet SECU Advisory Committee. He highly encourages everyone to get involved in their local communities to make those places better! He encourages you not to say that there isn’t anything to do in your local community. In case you were wondering, Joey does still find time to sleep on occasion between work, community service, and participating in local activities, but only does so when absolutely necessary.
To learn more about Cole Auditorium at Richmond Community College visit www.richmondcc.edu and be sure to stay updated on what UPLIFT is doing here: www.uplifttourism.com/. -
Join us as we talk with Dana Horne! Dana, co-founder of Twisted Vines Vineyard, has crafted a legacy of love, faith, and resilience alongside her high school sweetheart. Together, they planted the first vines in 2009, stepping into winemaking with little experience but a lot of determination. Through years of hard work, they cultivated a thriving vineyard.
In 2019, they introduced a u-pick vineyard, which was met with enthusiasm from visitors who wanted to celebrate their special moments on the property. This led Dana to expand Twisted Vines into a venue for weddings, vow renewals, and reunions. With a deep passion for building connections and creating joyful memories, Dana envisions Twisted Vines Vineyard as a place woven into the stories of each visitor—where new friendships and lasting memories flourish. To learn more about Twisted Vines Vineyard, visit https://www.twistedvinesvineyard.com/ and be sure to stay updated on what UPLIFT is doing here: https://www.uplifttourism.com/. -
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Join us as we talk with Aletha Williams! Aletha, originally from Montego Bay, Jamaica, is a wellness coach and founder of Inner Starr Compass Healing, a business dedicated to integrative wellness and personal empowerment. After an impactful 20-year career in the U.S. Navy, where she was among the first women to serve on Naval Combatant Ships, Aletha shifted her focus to helping others overcome personal roadblocks and embrace holistic healing. A recent graduate of the UPLIFT Tourism Incubator program, she brings her passion for service and community to her coaching practice, which incorporates innovative wellness techniques, including biofeedback and equine-assisted growth, to support clients on their journey to wellness and confidence. To learn more about Aletha visit https://www.innerstarrcompasshealing.com/ and be sure to stay updated on what UPLIFT is doing here: https://www.uplifttourism.com/.
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Join us as we chat with Danielle Capps, Assistant Professor in Hospitality at Appalachian State University's Walker College of Business. Danni brings a deep passion in distillery tourism, consumer behavior in the bourbon industry, wine tourism, and hospitality employee well-being. She teaches students about the vast opportunities within the hospitality and tourism industry, empowering them to apply their knowledge in meaningful ways. In this episode, Danni shares insights on how we can create emotional connections through our travels and how storytelling can inspire responsible tourism.
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Join us as we talk with Derek Crawford! Derek is the owner and general manager of MEGA Park, a family-friendly entertainment center in Hamlet, North Carolina. Inspired by his love of travel, community, and his faith, Derek created MEGA Park as a place where people of all ages could come together for fun, excitement, and connection.
As a certified member of the UPLIFT NC Tourism Incubator and Accelerator Program, Derek is dedicated to supporting the local economy and promoting Hamlet as a destination for visitors. At MEGA Park, you'll find a variety of virtual reality games, offering something for everyone. To experience the fun and excitement of MEGA Park visit https://megaparkusa.com and be sure to stay updated on what UPLIFT is doing: https://www.uplifttourism.com/. -
Join us as we talk with Nicole Outlaw! Originally from Bertie County, Nicole has extensive leadership experience in the healthcare and education sectors, as well as an Associate of Science degree in business administration from Averett University. As a self-proclaimed change agent, Nicole serves on local community boards such as the Albemarle chapter of the North Carolina Community Foundation, the board of the Bertie County YMCA, and of Cultivator NC. She is a founding director of Pride of Bertie, a developing non-profit, as well as a founding member of the Bertie County Small Business Network. She is currently serving on the branding committee for Bertie County working with Destination By Design and also the steering committee for a community driven arts project in Bertie County, in partnership with the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and the North Carolina Museum of Art. To learn more about one of the projects that Nicole works on, Destination Bertie, click here: https://www.destinationbertie.com/. Also, be sure to stay updated on what UPLIFT is doing here: https://www.uplifttourism.com/.
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Explore the dynamic energy of the Great Trails State Conference in this special episode! UPLIFT team member Jennifer Everett takes you behind the scenes with exclusive interviews, capturing the insights and experiences of attendees. Hear from Katie Elliott, Vivianette Ortiz Caraballo, Palmer McIntyre, Jimmy Prestwood, Charlynne Smith, Trey Fouché, Iona Thomas, and Bruce Naegelen as they share their thoughts and key takeaways from the event. Don't forget, Great Trails State Day is on October 19—celebrate North Carolina's incredible trail systems and explore how they connect communities!
To learn more about the Great Trails State initiatives check out www.greattrailsnc.com and be sure to stay updated on what UPLIFT is doing at www.uplifttourism.com. -
Join us as we get to talk with Christina Riley! Christina is the social media guru and chief barbecue taster for the popular brand, NC Tripping. Growing up in both Pennsylvania and West Virginia, Christina found her forever home in North Carolina in 2015. Since then, she’s been traveling all 100 counties and documenting it for the website she and her husband have built to inspire others to also fall in love with their chosen home. To learn more about NC Tripping and what Christina is up to, be sure to check out her website www.nctripping.com/ and follow her on socials @NCTripping. Also, be sure to stay up to date on what UPLIFT is doing here: www.uplifttourism.com/.
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Welcome to Season 3! Join as as we talk with Zoe van Buren. Zoe serves as the Folklife Director for the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. In this role, Zoe manages grants and projects dedicated to preserving and revitalizing folk and traditional arts across all 100 counties of North Carolina. Her work includes overseeing programs like the North Carolina Heritage Awards, Traditional Arts Programs for Students, Folklife Apprenticeships, and grants supporting folklife organizations. To learn more about all of these programs and the work that Zoe does you can visit https://www.ncarts.org/ and be sure to stay updated on what UPLIFT is doing at https://www.uplifttourism.com/.
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Join us for an engaging conversation with Palmer McIntyre from the Great Trails State Coalition! Palmer is the Coordinator for the North Carolina Great Trails State Coalition and former Director of the NC Year of the Trail, and shared insights into the coalition's primary objectives and origins. We explore initiatives like the Year of the Trail, which ignited statewide enthusiasm for trails, and discuss how you can support the coalition's efforts. Plus, we're here to spread the word about the upcoming Great Trails State Conference in September! For more information on becoming a member or registering for the conference, visit https://greattrailsstatecoalition.org/ and be sure to stay updated on what UPLIFT is doing here: https://www.uplifttourism.com/.
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Join us as we get to talk with Kullen and Philip Bell, from the Coharie Tribe in Sampson County! Kullen has stepped into a leadership role within the Great Coharie River Initiative and been at the helm of the Coharie’s eco-tourism activities (Coharie River Tours), coordinating and leading kayaking tours for hundreds of individuals throughout the state. Philip is the co-creator of The Great Coharie River Initiative and oversees environmental operations in the local rivers, aquatic environs of the tribal community, and supports tribal cultural arts programs. Coharie River Tours provide residents and visitors of Sampson County a resource for guided kayak trips, history of Coharie Tribe, the exploration of nature, relaxation, adventure, self-discovery, and a greater overall connection with the outdoors. To learn more about the Coharie Tribe and book a kayak trip visit: https://coharietribe.org/ and be sure to stay updated on what UPLIFT is doing here: https://www.uplifttourism.com/.
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Join us as we explore the inspiring story of STARworks, an organization dedicated to fostering creativity and innovation in rural North Carolina through ceramics, glass, and metal arts.
Our guests are Dr. David Jones and Nancy Gottovi. Nancy, the Executive Director of STARworks, holds a PhD in Cultural Anthropology and has been recognized for her leadership in sustainable business and creative place-making. David, a seasoned veterinarian and zoologist, has led the North Carolina Zoological Park and the Zoological Society of London, has worked globally in wildlife conservation and rural development, and is on the advisory board at STARworks.
Discover how STARworks has revitalized its community and learn from David and Nancy's insights on innovative rural development and the power of arts in creating vibrant communities.
To learn more about STARworks visit: https://www.starworksnc.org/ and be sure to stay updated on what UPLIFT is doing: https://www.uplifttourism.com/. -
Join us as we talk with Thomas Salley! Thomas is the tourism director for Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Prior to his career in tourism with the Town of Wilkesboro, Mr. Salley worked for 12 years at Raffaldini Vineyards, managing the tasting room and marketing. Mr. Salley has had the privilege of serving more than twenty years in the customer service industry, from the bathroom to the board room, in theaters, concert and event venues, wine, and tourism. Mr. Salley also serves as the marketing chair of the NC Wine and Grape Council, and on the High Country Host Executive Board, Yadkin Valley Heritage Corridor Board, and Wilkes Healthy Action Team, Wilkes County Library Endowment Board, Wilkes Youth Life Development board, Wilkes Chamber of commerce board, among others. Check out what’s going on in Wilkesboro here https://www.wilkescountytourism.com/, and be sure to stay updated on what UPLIFT is doing here: https://www.uplifttourism.com/.
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Join us as we chat with Sheila Barefoot! Sheila’s expertise lies in team management and customer relations with over 30 years of experience in office management, business development, marketing strategy, and revenue growth. As the Executive Director of the Sampson County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Sheila leverages her diverse background to promote Sampson County as a destination for meetings, events, and tourism related endeavors. In her role she also handles media inquiries and collaborates with local businesses to develop programs to support their business and grow the travel industry in Sampson County. To learn more about Sampson County (AKA The Barn Quilt Capital of North Carolina®) visit https://www.visitsampsonnc.com/ and be sure to stay updated on what UPLIFT is doing here: https://www.uplifttourism.com/.
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Join us as we talk to Jennifer Everett! Jennifer is a professional runway and published print model, author of the self love book “I Choose Me: The Ultimate Act of Self Love”, minister and founder of Culture Queens amongst many other things. Culture Queens is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring women of color have access and enjoy all things arts, culture and outdoor activities. Jennifer works to create opportunities for members to showcase their talents, experience the therapeutic qualities of the outdoors and build a strong community celebrating their authenticity and culture. Today Jennifer had a very special announcement on her partnership with Tough Cutie at REI where a percentage from each purchase supports the Culture Queens mission. This partnership lasts until the end up May, so check it out here: https://www.groflo.io/tc-cqo/tc-15-cqo?dm_i=7K22,AXTC,4ZGTR9,1LDS3,1 and be sure to follow Culture Queens on social media @culturequeens_clt and @culturequeensoutdoors!
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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/.
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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/.
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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/.
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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/.
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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/.
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