Edwards reflects on culture changes spanning 30 years in the workplace

In Western North Carolina’s travel and tourism community, it’s not too unusual to find women at the helm. But when Stephanie Edwards, executive director of the Cashiers Chamber of Commerce, launched her career about 30 years ago, she was most definitely the minority. 

Tourism entities have same goal, different focus

coverIf a rising tide lifts all boats, it only makes sense for organizations with common goals to work together, but cooperation hasn’t always come so easy for the Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority.  

SEE ALSO:
• Three seats open on Maggie Chamber board
• The value of a Maggie chamber membership

Though both entities work toward the ultimate goal of promoting local tourism, arguments have surfaced throughout the years over funding and duplicating services. 

Opportunity for change: Three seats open on Maggie Chamber board

fr chamber officeAs three members of the Maggie Valley Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors rotate off the board next month, the business community has another opportunity to vote in new leadership.

The value of a Maggie chamber membership

fr chamber membershipBusinesses in the valley have varying views on whether being a member of the Maggie Valley Area Chamber of Commerce is worth the annual dues, but Chamber Chairman Joe Moody said it’s a great value for the many benefits provided to the chamber’s 180 members.

Couple works to open wedding venue at family farm

fr venueNearly five years ago, Taylor and Preston Gregg stood on top of Chestnut Ridge and recited their wedding vows.

Business leaders honored at Chamber dinner

fr chamberEach year the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce honors local businesses and leaders for their contributions to the community during its annual dinner and awards ceremony.

Waynesville pulls the plug on housing commerce, tourism agencies in old town hall

fr townhallA plan to turn Waynesville’s old town hall into a visitor center and the headquarters for a suite of tourism, commerce and business development agencies appears to be dead.

Haywood Chamber, Tourism Authority and Downtown Waynesville Association talk about moving in together

fr townhallWaynesville’s old town hall on Main Street could be converted into a garrison for tourism, business and economic development agencies — a move that would save each of the entities money and promote teamwork.

Are visitor centers passé? Haywood tourism authority mulls bang for the buck at visitor center sites

fr visitorcentersThe Haywood County Tourism Authority is exploring whether to close its two visitor centers in Waynesville and Maggie Valley, questioning whether money to run the sites could be better spent luring tourists in the first place rather than itinerary planning once they arrive.

Haywood business community rallies around new economic development model

fr EDCA cross-section of Haywood County business leaders took over the reins of economic development this month, with county government passing the torch to the Greater Haywood County Chamber of Commerce to blaze a new path of economic prosperity.

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