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Tourism officials urged to 'beat your own drum'

Published November 6th, 2009 | 0 Comments

BLOUNTVILLE — Dozens of officials, boosters and volunteers with area historic sites joined together Friday for what organizers hope will become a twice-a-year “tourism roundtable.”

Phyllis Qualls-Brooks, assistant commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, told the group — which included representatives from agencies throughout Northeast Tennessee — not to take themselves, or their efforts, for granted.

“Beat your own drum,” Qualls-Brooks said. “Know your story. Share your story. Learn (each other’s) stories. Be nosey. Learn and understand what others are doing.”

Qualls-Brooks said the best things on a trip aren’t the things that can be bought, but the memories that can be made.

“Know your product,” Qualls-Brooks said. “Work together. Do all you can do to promote those products.”

By joining the region’s resources, local tourism officials — whom she commended for already doing an outstanding job — can give tourists the opportunity to be fully immersed in the Northeast Tennessee experience.

“And it will be not only worth repeating, it will be unforgettable,” Qualls-Brooks said.

The Sullivan County Department of Archives and Tourism conceived of and hosted the “roundtable” event.

Sons of Confederate Veterans Brigade Commander David Roberts presented Qualls-Brooks, who is black, with a copy of the book “Forgotten Confederates: An Anthology About Black Southerners.”

Roberts said the book offers a look at a portion of history that has been ignored or hidden.

Qualls-Brooks said she is a member of the Tennessee Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission, and that group plans to make sure when the state marks the 150th anniversary of the Civil War it will not repeat exclusions that occurred when the 100th anniversary was commemorated.

The Sesquicentennial Commemoration, which will include events beginning in 2011 and continuing into 2015, “must be inclusive,” Qualls-Brooks said the state commission has said, and not exclude the stories of women, the stories of children, and the stories of black soldiers.

“It is very important that we tell the whole story of the Civil War,” Qualls-Brooks said.

Earlier, Qualls-Brooks had said participation in the Civil War Trails program is a major marketing opportunity for local communities.

Blountville has five markers (and a sixth on the way) that are a part of that program, which encompasses four states.

Roberts and the Sons of Confederate Veterans have been active in and supportive of recent tourism and beautification efforts in Blountville.

Qualls-Brooks said the Northeast Tennessee region will within the next year or so be included in the state’s new “Discover Tennessee Trails and Byways” program.

Designs for that statewide initiative include all 95 counties along 15 regional trails, featuring Tennessee’s five National Scenic Byways.

The “Sunnyside Trail,” named for the Carter Family’s “Keep on the Sunny Side,” will include Sullivan County and attractions such as Bristol Motor Speedway and the Old Deery Inn, Qualls-Brooks said.

“The Discover Tennessee Trails and Byways program will enhance established tourism offerings and bring greater awareness to lesser-known attractions located in communities throughout all 95 counties of our state,” Gov. Phil Bredesen said at an event earlier this month opening the first of the 15 trails. “This idea, which originated with a private citizen, has led to a partnership between state agencies, local officials and tourism partners that holds economic opportunities for every county and will allow visitors to experience more of Tennessee’s special places and scenic landscapes.”

The Sullivan County Department of Archives and Tourism’s new Web address is www.historicsullivan.com.

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