12-5-2003 |
|
|
North Carolina residents, along with a throng of tourists and even some West Virginia expatriates, were treated to a “Holiday Taste of West Virginia” during the Southern Christmas Show at the Charlotte Merchandise Mart last month, thanks to an award-winning booth sponsored by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) and the West Virginia Division of Tourism. The goal of the joint venture was to promote the state’s people, products and attractions, and to reach out to an important, nearby travel audience. The big winners at the show were the 50 or so West Virginia agribusinesses that had products for sale in the 1,000-square-foot booth. Those companies received a holiday boost in excess of $40,000, thanks to a steady stream of customers who, at times, stood in line just to get in the door. Simply keeping the shelves stocked turned into a perpetual task. “I was floored by the response we received at the Show, and when I saw the final sales tally, I just could not have been more pleased,” said Jean Smith, Director of WVDA’s Marketing and Development Division. “Well over 100,000 people attended this year’s show, and I think every one of them stopped at our booth. We met tour groups from all over the southeast, former West Virginia residents now living in the Charlotte area, and current West Virginia residents who came all the way to North Carolina to discover the great products made right here in our state,” she said. Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass credited the success of the show to the state’s producers and the hard work of WVDA employees. “It is so gratifying to me to see the attention West Virginia agribusinesses bring to our state. And, thanks to the efforts of the Marketing and Development staff, people all over the country are discovering what our state has to offer. With the recent criticism of state employees, I think it’s important to note that our Marketing staff spent 10 days in Charlotte working 10 and 12-hour days. I’m very proud of their efforts to help develop and promote West Virginia-based businesses.” Commissioner Douglass also noted the cooperation of the Division of Tourism, which provided a large portion of the funding that made the WVDA’s participation possible. “Without the support of Commissioner of Tourism Betty Carver and her staff, this great success would not have been possible,” he said. “The primary emphasis of this Department must continue to be the safety of food and the people who consume it, and our budget priorities must continue to reflect that; however, agricultural development can play a large part in bringing tourists and money into our state, and I’m happy that the Division of Tourism has signed on as a partner.” “We urge the Governor and state legislators to take these kinds of events into consideration during budget deliberations. It takes money to make these things happen, and clearly successes like this will only have a positive effect on West Virginia’s economy,” said Commissioner Douglass. Tourism-related promotions were also a large part of the booth, which is actually the permanent WVDA “Country Store” from the state fairgrounds, dismantled and moved to Charlotte to lower show-related expenses. The booth featured a “gift-giving tree” with ornaments sponsored by many of West Virginia’s resorts and destinations. Visitors could buy gift certificates to attractions throughout the state. West Virginia’s presence at the show also included spinning demonstrations, along with “cooking with West Virginia products” demonstrations by state chefs and high school culinary students. Also helping to sponsor the booth were the Southern West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau, which is host to the annual “Coal Camp Christmas,” and Mountain RC&D, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
©2001, 2002 West Virginia Department of Agriculture, All Rights Reserved |
|
|
Contact the Webmaster
|
|
|
|