Memphis Tourism Foundation Sets Agenda
Since appointment of its board last summer, the Memphis Tourism Foundation – an arm of the CVB - has been setting an exciting agenda for the future, targeting workforce development, internal image and tourism awareness.
“With the help of our outstanding board members, the Foundation is developing programs that respond to needs of the tourism industry while creating a positive internal image of our city with its most important audience – our own people,” said Jerry Klein, chairman of the Tourism Foundation board of directors.
In recent months, the Foundation has been researching the workforce needs of the tourism industry, training programs and gaps in coordination and communications. As a result, a top priority of the Foundation is to create a Web-based clearinghouse that connects job opportunities with prospective employees. “What we’ve learned is there are a number of training programs in Memphis, but there is a disconnect between the people who graduate from the programs and job openings,” said Calvin Taylor, CVB vice-president guiding the work of the Foundation.
The Internet will also play a key role in the Foundation’s plans to improve Memphis’ internal image. With the goal of creating “buzz” about Memphis’ distinctiveness, the group is shaping a “This Is My Memphis” campaign that will include a video competition about Memphis’ uniqueness on youtube, a photo contest for images that captures a person’s view of what makes Memphis unique. The This Is My Memphis campaign will also feature filmed testimonials – broadcast on television and on the Internet - by Memphians explaining why this is their city, said Mr. Klein.
As part of the internal image campaign, the Foundation is sponsoring the recording of a record c.d. featuring contemporary Memphis bands interpreting classic Memphis hits and will produce a concert by local bands in late summer. “Our music has given us a mythic reputation around the world,” said Mr. Klein, “but our music isn’t just something from our past. We are still making great music in this city, and we want to spotlight that as a unique part of our city’s greatness.”
In support of increased awareness about the importance of tourism, the Foundation is scheduling national experts to speak in Memphis on topics related to civic tourism, the framework for the Foundation’s work. “Civic tourism emphasizes the importance of place-making, taking into account the importance of improving the quality of life for residents and not just for the visitors,” said Kevin Kane, president/CEO of the CVB. “Tourism is about more than building the economy. It’s about building the kind of community that its citizens love, and that’s why the work of the Foundation is so important to the tourism industry specifically but even more important to the city generally.”
Shortly after its board was appointed last year, the Foundation – in conjunction with the Memphis Regional Chamber and the Memphis and Shelby county Film and Video Commission – sponsored the premier of a film by Christopher Reyes entitled My Memphis. The film showcases Memphis’ vibrancy as two dozen young professionals, including movie director Craig Brewer, tell their personal stories about why they love Memphis. Mr. Brewer and Mr. Kane spoke at the premiere of the movie at Malco’s Paradiso Theater.
In addition to Mr. Klein, other members of the Foundation include vice-chair Jose Velazqez, secretary Shirley Davis Conner, Jonny Ballinger, Leticia Boyd, Diane Hampton, Nashid Madyum, Craig Marshall, Bob O’Halloran, Tim Sampson, Brandon Tidwell, Reggie Williams and Pat Mitchell Worley.
Posted by Tom Jones on in News
