Tourism Council

The Highland Tourism Council works closely with the Highland County Chamber of Commerce on the goals and objectives set out in the Tourism Strategic Plan that was adopted by the Board of Supervisors in 2014. They advise on all marketing initiatives and funds allocated through the Transient Occupancy Tax from Highland County and Town of Monterey lodging facilities.

The five-member Council is a subcommittee of the Economic Development Authority of Highland County.  It is made up of five volunteers who represent various tourism interests in the county and consists of a member of the EDA or their designee, a member of the Chamber of Commerce Board, a representative of the lodging businesses, and two members at large who represent tourism interests of the county.

The mission of the Council is to increate sustainable tourism to benefit and improve the quality of life for current citizens, future residents, and visitors.  The vision is for Highland County to be a destination welcoming visitors and providing opportunities to experience its culture, traditions, history, and natural beauty.  The goal is to stimulate targeted tourism initiatives that will promote economic development and population growth in Highland County while protecting and enriching the quality of life for its residents.

Chris Swecker, Executive Director of the Highland Chamber of Commerce, also serves as Executive Director of the Tourism Council.  The duties of the office of Treasurer will be performed by the Treasurer of the Economic Development Authority (EDA), which is currently Betty Mitchell.

The 2023 Council members include:

Marty Leech – Chair (Chamber of Commerce Board Member):  thefarmhouseva@gmail.com

Jeff Purdue – Lodging Representative:  jefferyperdue@yahoo.com

Lori Botkin – Tourism Council Member:  highlandhist@mgwnet.com

Chuck Neely - Tourism Council Member: chuck.neely@yahoo.com

Bryan Obaugh – EDA Member Representative:  bobaugh78@yahoo.com

 

The Highland Tourism Council meets at The Highland Center's Event Room in Monterey (61 Highland Center Drive) at 7 pm typically during the second Monday every other month, accompanied by a virtual Zoom option.  PLEASE REVIEW official meeting Zoom login information below for the most accurate meeting times and location.  Please contact Executive Director Chris Swecker at director@highlandcounty.org or call 540-468-2550 for the meeting information if it is not listed below. Any member of the public who is interested in finding out more about the Council is welcome and encouraged to attend these meetings.

For in-person meetings, The Highland Tourism Council will be following current Virginia and CDC guidelines regarding the coronavirus for everyone’s safety, which recommend that all unvaccinated and partially vaccinated people wear a mask and practice social distancing in public settings.  Please stay home if you have a fever or symptoms of COVID-19, if you have had a positive diagnostic test for the virus that causes COVID-19, if you are waiting for COVID-19 test results, or if you have had known exposure to a COVID-19 case in the prior 14 days.  If you become aware of being diagnosed with COVID-19 after attending a meeting, please contact director@highlandcounty.org or 540-468-2550 in order to evaluate next steps.

Next Highland Tourism Council Meetings:

•  Monday, April 10 at 7 pm  - Meeting in-person at The Highland Center (61 Highland Center Drive, Monterey).  Virtual Zoom Info:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87023666170

Meeting ID: 870 2366 6170
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