Cultural Tourism, Economic Development to be Discussed at Conference

Press Release

Angelo Pizzo, who wrote and co-produced the film “Hoosiers,” will address the 2007 Indiana Cultural Tourism Conference.

Hosted by the Indiana University Department of Tourism, Conventions and Event Management (TCEM) at IUPUI, the conference is designed to strengthen cultural and heritage tourism in the state of Indiana.

The 2007 Efroymson Award for Excellence in Cultural Tourism Development $25,000 prize also will be presented at the conference, which will be held May 11, 2007 at the Indiana Convention Center. The prize is made possible through a grant from the Efroymson Fund of the Central Indiana Community Foundation.

Some 150 cultural tourism and hospitality specialists, political decision makers, travel professionals, academics, and expert consultants are expected to attend the conference to discuss issues related to public relations, integrated marketing strategies, and development and planning of cultural tourism, said Sotiris Avgoustis, Chair and Associate Professor of the TCEM Department.

The conference also will provide a venue to promote the integration of cultural tourism and economic development strategies, he added.

“Those within the tourism and hospitality community have long understood the importance of this sector of Indiana’s economy,” Avgoustis said. “It’s important for everyone to understand the significant role this sector plays in advancing the state’s economy.”

Participants will be able to explore best practices of expert consultants during roundtable discussions on topics ranging from engaging visitors with public art to the state of the film industry in Indiana, to creating a cultural buzz for an organization or attraction.

Other speakers include Sheila Armstrong, executive director of the U.S. Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marking Council, who will share her organization’s strategy for marketing and promoting cultural and heritage tourism. Susan Wilcox, chief deputy director of the California Travel and Tourism discuss an innovative new online marketing strategy focused on cultural and heritage tourism through the Shop California HATS (History, Arts, Tours, Shopping), BAGS (Botanical Arts, Gardens, Shopping) and EATS (Epecurian Arts, Tours, Shopping).

Pizzo, who will be the luncheon speaker at the conference, grew up in Bloomington and graduated from Indiana University with a degree in political science. “Hoosiers,” his first feature film, have proven to have lasting popularity, being named the best sport film of all time by both ESPN and USA Today. Pizzo followed Hoosiers with two more feature films, “Rudy” and “the Game of their Lives.”

Cultural tourism initiatives conducted between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2006 or work initiated prior to January 1, 2006 that continued through this timeframe are eligible for the $25,000 Efroymson Award for Excellence in Cultural Tourism Development. The deadline for entries is April 9. Questions about prize should be directed to akcecil@iupui.edu.

For more information about the conference or to register to attend, visit: http://www.culturaltourismconference.com.

Source: Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis