A reminder of why we do what we do.
I have been in the marketing business for over 25 years. After that amount of time, sometimes you begin to wonder if what you are doing really makes any difference. Or are we just selling our time for services? Are we just a vendor to our clients?
My wife and I attended and spoke at the Jefferson County Tourism Summit in Shepherdstown this past Tuesday and Wednesday. We have both worked with the Jefferson County Convention & Visitors Bureau for over ten years. What started as an awkward meeting has turned into a tremendous amount of rewarding work and meaningful relationships with our friends in Jefferson County.
When I worked for Paramore Digital in Nashville, we were contacted by the former director of the Jefferson County Convention & Visitors Bureau about bidding on building a new website for them. A meeting time was set up and on the appropriate day I headed to Shepherdstown for the meeting. A four hour trip. About 2 hours out, I called to confirm that I would be there on time and was told that the director no longer worked at the CVB. What?? That was all the information the person on the phone would give. So I called Christian Asam, who I knew casually and was on the Board for the CVB. Christian’s family owns the Bavarian Inn & Brewing Company in Shepherdstown. He assured me the meeting was still on and after the meeting, we were awarded the business.
Ten years later, we still work for the CVB. In addition, we have had the privilege to work with the Bavarian Inn and several other businesses in the county. Jefferson County has become an important part of our lives. Our daughter Emmy chose Shepherd University after she heard so much about the area from us and visited the school. She had an incredible 4 years at Shepherd.
The people we have come to know and love in Jefferson County are important people in our lives. Annette Gavin Bates is the director of the CVB and she and her husband Karl are dear friends. She proves to me that you can be both client and friend. We have done some really fun and good work with the Bavarian Inn. Christian and his wife Kerry have been so gracious and kind to us. The entire Asam family has been incredible friends. Eric and Joy Lewis supported Emmy while she was at Shepherd and have become wonderful friends. These wonderful folks always show up for us and support us. You cannot ask for more.
Abby Bowman, daughter of my business partner Nikki Bowman Mills, also attended Shepherd University and is the new communication coordinator for the CVB. Nikki and her family have received the same wonderful support from these fine folks that we have.
During my 30 minute presentation, I shared the marketing initiatives that we implemented for 2023. I was proud of the work that we have done over the past decade. I believe in my heart that together, we have made a difference. Jefferson County accounts for more visitor spend dollars than any county in the state. In fact, Jefferson County accounts for over 16% of the entire visitor spend in WV annually.
Sharing the success reminded me of why I continue to do what I do. Working with great people and doing great work still matters. It still gets me excited and still inspires me to learn and be better. I would encourage everyone to visit this incredible part of West Virginia and to meet the amazing people of Jefferson County. Below is a video we produced to give you a taste of “Where Almost Heaven Begins.”