Guest Column by Latala Hodges, Sr. Communications and Operating Officer at The Harvest Foundation
When we think of tourism, many of us assume it’s a specialized industry that doesn’t touch our daily lives. But really, it involves every single person in our community. To me, tourism is our collective effort of showcasing our home to the world as a place worth visiting, investing in, and enjoying. We should all consider ourselves honorary cheerleaders and ambassadors for Martinsville-Henry County.
With that mindset, I was really excited to attend the MHC Tourism Collaborative this past Tuesday, Feb. 24, at the Baldwin Building. Hosted by the talented team at VisitMartinsville (a program of the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corp.), the event proved that our region recognizes tourism for what it is: a vital economic engine. We are especially grateful to the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) for sponsoring this event and making it possible.
The event brought together a diverse group of partners, from lodging and retail to wineries, breweries, and service industries. It was an honor to host VTC staffers who provided helpful insights directly applicable to how we attract and retain visitors.
As a community convener, Harvest sees immense value in creating spaces where people who don’t typically “sit at the same table” can interact and find common ground. The tourism collaborative was a perfect example of this. It allowed small business owners of all types to identify opportunities for joint promotions, shared events, and new ways to give back to the community.
We heard from local tourism experts, including Director of Tourism Sarah Hodges, Assistant Director Kelly Rowland, and EDC Marketing Manager Beth Marshall. They shared data released last year that showed total visitor spending for 2024 at a whopping $78.2 million, which was an increase from 2023 of 7.5 percent. They spoke about how events get shared to VisitMartinsville’s monthly events calendar (sent far and wide!), and the many local tools available to tourism-related businesses and entrepreneurs.
VTC Destination Development Manager Jennifer Kohms discussed state resources and grants, while Social Media Specialist Liza Mickens and Creative Brand Manager Hannah Armstrong shared actionable tips. Their advice on navigating modern trends and the dreaded “algorithm” gave our entrepreneurs the tools to help their social media presence stand out in a crowded digital landscape.
Additionally, a group of partners serving our business and tourism community set up resource tables for attendees. They included MHC EDC’s Business Development, Longwood’s Small Business Development Center, Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce, West Piedmont Planning District Commission (WPPDC), Locus, Minority Business Consortium, and VTC’s Welcome Center staff, traveling all the way from Lambsburg, Va.
Now in its second year, this event was even more impactful than the first. To me, this initiative signals the pride our community takes in itself. It’s about making sure we put our best foot forward, not only for our neighbors, but for everyone who visits Martinsville-Henry County.
I walked away having learned so much, and I encourage every resident to get involved. Learn more by signing up for VisitMartinsville’s newsletter and YesMartinsville’s newsletter.
The Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce’s website also has some helpful information for small businesses.
If you want to stay in the loop on our local assets and events, follow VisitMartinsville on social media, download their app, and start planning your next local adventure today!