The National Extension Tourism Design Team held its 13th national conference in early November, hosted in Savannah, GA, by University of Georgia (UGA) Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant. For many in attendance, it was their first in-person conference since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring the fantastic networking opportunity for which the biennial conference is known.
“My mind is swirling with ideas…the perfect way to get back in person,” said one conference-goer in their evaluation comments. Another said, “This was a great conference. I learned a lot, met new colleagues, and was overall impressed with the supportive and collaborative nature of this group.”
The conference theme, “Navigating the Uncharted,” was a nod to the new territory in which tourism communities find themselves, facing immense challenges ranging from natural disasters and social unrest to an ongoing global pandemic. The event provided a forum for tourism professionals to share their responses and adaptations to these challenges and to reflect on approaches to Extension programming that best serve stakeholders’ needs.
Of the 72 people who completed the post-conference evaluation, 67% said the conference exceeded their expectations, and 33% said it met their expectations. Similarly, 100% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed that the conference was a good professional opportunity.
“Overall, people were really inspired by the work that is happening in NET,” said UGA Associate Marine Extension Director and NET Conference Chair, Bryan Fluech. “In the two years I’ve been involved with NET, it’s been awesome to see how we’re growing and the role that Land Grant and Sea Grant Extension plays in communities. As the conference organizer and as an Extension agent, I am really pleased.”
Given the uncertainty posed by the ongoing pandemic, the conference organizers offered both in-person and remote options. Of the 99 people registered, 72 people attended in person. In addition to an impressive lineup of more than 40 breakout presentations and posters, participants also heard from keynote speakers Brent Elrod (USDA NIFA), Stefanie Benjamin (Tourism RESET), and Monica Smith (Southeast Tourism Society). In-person attendees also had an opportunity to attend one of five mobile workshops selected to showcase some agritourism, cultural and heritage tourism, and ecotourism success stories from the surrounding coastal Georgia communities.
The National Extension Tourism conference was made possible in part by funding from USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and National Sea Grant.