NEWS

Nov. 1, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Tricia Sizemore

304-558-2003, ext. 319

psizemore@wvcommerce.org

“Wired and Wonderful” Governor’s Conference on Tourism

to feature acclaimed travel experts, tourism industry speakers
Nov. 5-7

EDITOR'S NOTE: Agenda available at www.wvtourism.com.

Due to the surge of Internet marketing, this year’s Governor’s Conference on Tourism at Glade Springs Resort Nov. 5-7 will focus on successful techniques for online marketing and communications. Speakers will offer insights into Internet marketing, online advertising and more.

Named one of the 200 most powerful women in the travel industry, Suzanne Cook, a senior vice president of research for the Travel Industry Association in Washington, D.C., will speak about Internet marketing travel trends. Cook directs a comprehensive program of marketing, economic and international research and report publication. She is a recipient of awards such as the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award given by the Travel and Tourism Research Associations and the Access to Freedom Award given by the Society of Accessible Travel and Hospitality.

Alison Davis, founder and CEO of the award-winning internal communication firm of Davis & Company, will share her knowledge about how to appeal to today’s distracted audience. Davis sets the strategic direction for her firm and provides counsel to clients such as The Bank of New York Mellon, Hewlett-Packard, MasterCard, and Merck and Wyeth.

A panel of Internet marketing experts offers sessions, including optimizing search engines, producing more earned media, Web site design, online advertising and more.

A complete agenda is available at www.wvtourism.com and click on the “Wired and Wonderful” icon.

The annual conference brings together the state's tourism organizations for educational seminars and sessions designed to help those businesses increase their revenue or bring more visitors to West Virginia.

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