SACRAMENTO
VALLEY HAS POTENTIAL FOR REGIONAL ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT BASED ON TOURISM
Experts from across the country
to discuss North Valley Oppoturnity
MODESTO, California, October 23,
2002 – An interactive forum
focused on developing regional economic
tourism strategies for the Sacramento
Valley will be held at the Colusa County
Fairgrounds from 9:30 am to 3 pm on Wednesday
October 30, 2002. Organized by the Great
Valley Center, the event will include
presentations by speakers who have given
special thought to how the rural Sacramento
Valley can use its natural assets to its
advantage.
The forum will also feature opening remarks
by Thomas Doerr, current Undersecretary
for Rural Development at the United States
Department of Agriculture.
“Tourism trends towards short domestic
vacations and adventure travel combined
with changing demographics would seem
to make the Valley a natural beneficiary,”
said Carol Whiteside, president of the
Great Valley Center. “We hope to
highlight the benefits of a coordinated
regional approach.”
Noteworthy speakers and topics include
Purdue University Professor Liping A.
Cai, who will discuss successful regional
marketing efforts that have prospered
through cooperative branding; the Bureau
of Reclamation’s Michael Petrinovich
who will discuss the agency’s continuing
interest in water recreation as well as
a panel discussion with tourism professionals
on the qualities that make a region attractive.
Bill Burrows, a North Valley rancher will
also discuss how he has turned his family’s
agricultural heritage into a thriving
agri-tourism business.
Registration is $45 and includes continental
breakfast and lunch. For scheduling or
registration, contact the Great Valley
Center by phone at (209) 522-5103, by
e-mail at info@greatvalley.org, or on
the web at www.greatvalley.org. In-person
registration begins at 8:30 at the Colusa
County Fairgrounds.
Founded in 1997, the Great Valley Center
is a private, non-profit organization
that supports organizations and activities
working to improve the economic, social
and environmental well-being of California’s
Great Central Valley.
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Media Contact:
Richard Cummings
(209) 522-5103
