In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, tourism expert Lynn Fuhler, former tourism director of Clearwater and Clearwater Beach area and author of two books on festival management, discusses the intricacies of organizing successful events and festivals. She shares her experience as the former chairman of the Clearwater Jazz Holiday, insights on community revitalization through arts and tourism, and emphasizes the importance of proper event planning, including post-event evaluation and the four key elements necessary for tourism development.
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Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers
Focus on sustainable tourism initiatives rather than just chasing big industrial projects
Ensure four key elements are in place: government support, infrastructure, community support, and proper planning
Use events and festivals as consistent economic drivers rather than relying solely on large, unstable employers
Implement thorough post-event evaluation processes to continuously improve
Build strong volunteer networks and management systems for community events
Create infrastructure that serves multiple purposes (like transportation routes that benefit both tourism and industry)
Recognize the role of arts communities in revitalizing declining areas
Document processes and maintain organized records for event planning continuity
Consider tourism as a reliable employer for entry-level and service industry workers
Foster collaboration between government, business, and community stakeholders for successful tourism initiatives Special Guest: Lynn Fuhler.
