Schedule
Celebrate TourismSchedule
August 3: Pre–Summit Mix & Mingle
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
The Red Stag Restaurant & Bier Garten at Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theater
170 Malin Drive, Wytheville, VA 24382
https://www.wohlfahrthaus.com/the-matterhorn-restaurant
We invite all summit attendees to join us on Monday, August 3rd from 5-8pm for the Pre-Summit Mix and Mingle at The Red Stag Restaurant & Bier Garten, located at Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre. This is a free event that will include light fare and select beverages with a cash bar also available. We hope you will join us the evening before the summit for a casual evening of networking, socializing, and catching up with colleagues from throughout the region. The Mix and Mingle event is free to attend but please register via the Eventbrite link.
August 4: 7th Annual Celebrate Tourism Summit
8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Wytheville Meeting Center
333 Community Blvd, Wytheville
8:00 AM
Doors Open & Registration
Grab your name tag, some coffee, and get ready to connect with tourism partners from across Southwest Virginia!
8:45 AM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
(Rosa Lee Jude, Mayor Taylor, Rita McClenny)
9:00 AM
Keynote: Al Hutchinson “Leading with Love”
“Leading with Love” will focus on building strong, high-performing teams, retaining top talent, aligning around shared goals, and equipping leaders with practical strategies that elevate both people and places.
10:00 AM
Break & Networking
Refill your coffee, mingle with fellow attendees, and get ready for a jam-packed morning of insights.
10:15 AM
Cat Marshburn, Vice President of Marketing, Virginia Tourism Corporation and Ali Zaman, Assistant Brand director, Virginia Tourism Corporation
VTC will give an introductory presentation about herself and how her previous career in Resorts and theme parks translates to her vision for the future of Virginia Tourism Corporation.
11:15 AM
Maribel Castañeda, Deputy Secretary of Natural & Historic Resources “Growing Virginia’s Outdoor Recreation Economy Together”
The Deputy Secretary will present on the plan for Virginia’s Outdoor Recreation Economy under the new Spanberger administration.
12:00 PM
Becky Nave, Vice President of Partnership Marketing, Virginia Tourism Corporation –Virginia’s Statewide Strategic Tourism Plan 2026-2029
In 2025, Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) partnered with Hunden Partners to update Virginia’s Statewide Strategic Tourism Plan. This comprehensive plan will guide our efforts in understanding how we can enhance Virginia’s offerings and encourage travelers to extend their length of stay.
12:30 PM
Lunch Break
Enjoy a delicious lunch and connect with colleagues new and old.
1:00 PM
2026 Southwest Virginia Tourism Awards Ceremony
Presented by Friends of Southwest Virginia
Celebrate the best of the best in tourism across our region—from standout marketing and events to leadership and service. Let’s recognize the incredible work being done in SWVA!