Wit Tuttell, director of Tourism Marketing for the N.C. Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development will discuss projected travel trends and visitor profiles at the annual meeting of Smoky Mountain Host on Nov. 19 in Maggie Valley.

Tuttell will be joined on the program by Sutton Bacon, president and CEO of the Nantahala Outdoor Center, who will provide a summary of opportunities to grow the region’s tourism economy through the World Freelance Kayaking Championship, an international sporting event which will be held in 2013 in the Nantahala Gorge. The event is expected to attract over 400 athletes from 40 or more countries to the region and more than 100,000 spectators.

The presentations are part of this year’s annual membership meeting of Smoky Mountain Host, Southwestern North Carolina’s regional destination marketing organization for tourism. Also being presented will be the Host’s 2011 tourism marketing plan for the region.

The meeting will be held at the Maggie Valley Club starting at 10:45 a.m. and concluding by 1:30 p.m. Lunch is being sponsored by Smoky Mountain Living Magazine, Blue Ridge Country Magazine and Our State Magazine. It is open to both members and non-members of Smoky Mountain Host.

For meeting registration or further information, contact David Huskins, SMH Managing Director for Operations at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 828.691.3300.