Join us as we chat with Danielle Capps, Assistant Professor in Hospitality at Appalachian State University's Walker College of Business. Danni brings a deep passion in distillery tourism, consumer behavior in the bourbon industry, wine tourism, and hospitality employee well-being. She teaches students about the vast opportunities within the hospitality and tourism industry, empowering them to apply their knowledge in meaningful ways. In this episode, Danni shares insights on how we can create emotional connections through our travels and how storytelling can inspire responsible tourism.

Join us as we talk with Derek Crawford! Derek is the owner and general manager of MEGA Park, a family-friendly entertainment center in Hamlet, North Carolina. Inspired by his love of travel, community, and his faith, Derek created MEGA Park as a place where people of all ages could come together for fun, excitement, and connection.

As a certified member of the UPLIFT NC Tourism Incubator and Accelerator Program, Derek is dedicated to supporting the local economy and promoting Hamlet as a destination for visitors. At MEGA Park, you'll find a variety of virtual reality games, offering something for everyone. To experience the fun and excitement of MEGA Park visit https://megaparkusa.com and be sure to stay updated on what UPLIFT is doing: https://www.uplifttourism.com/.

Join us as we talk with Nicole Outlaw! Originally from Bertie County, Nicole has extensive leadership experience in the healthcare and education sectors, as well as an Associate of Science degree in business administration from Averett University. As a self-proclaimed change agent, Nicole serves on local community boards such as the Albemarle chapter of the North Carolina Community Foundation, the board of the Bertie County YMCA, and of Cultivator NC. She is a founding director of Pride of Bertie, a developing non-profit, as well as a founding member of the Bertie County Small Business Network. She is currently serving on the branding committee for Bertie County working with Destination By Design and also the steering committee for a community driven arts project in Bertie County, in partnership with the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and the North Carolina Museum of Art. To learn more about one of the projects that Nicole works on, Destination Bertie, click here: https://www.destinationbertie.com/. Also, be sure to stay updated on what UPLIFT is doing here: https://www.uplifttourism.com/.

Explore the dynamic energy of the Great Trails State Conference in this special episode! UPLIFT team member Jennifer Everett takes you behind the scenes with exclusive interviews, capturing the insights and experiences of attendees. Hear from Katie Elliott, Vivianette Ortiz Caraballo, Palmer McIntyre, Jimmy Prestwood, Charlynne Smith, Trey Fouché, Iona Thomas, and Bruce Naegelen as they share their thoughts and key takeaways from the event. Don't forget, Great Trails State Day is on October 19—celebrate North Carolina's incredible trail systems and explore how they connect communities!

To learn more about the Great Trails State initiatives check out www.greattrailsnc.com and be sure to stay updated on what UPLIFT is doing at www.uplifttourism.com.

Join us as we get to talk with Christina Riley! Christina is the social media guru and chief barbecue taster for the popular brand, NC Tripping. Growing up in both Pennsylvania and West Virginia, Christina found her forever home in North Carolina in 2015. Since then, she’s been traveling all 100 counties and documenting it for the website she and her husband have built to inspire others to also fall in love with their chosen home. To learn more about NC Tripping and what Christina is up to, be sure to check out her website www.nctripping.com/ and follow her on socials @NCTripping. Also, be sure to stay up to date on what UPLIFT is doing here: www.uplifttourism.com/.

Welcome to Season 3! Join as as we talk with Zoe van Buren. Zoe serves as the Folklife Director for the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. In this role, Zoe manages grants and projects dedicated to preserving and revitalizing folk and traditional arts across all 100 counties of North Carolina. Her work includes overseeing programs like the North Carolina Heritage Awards, Traditional Arts Programs for Students, Folklife Apprenticeships, and grants supporting folklife organizations. To learn more about all of these programs and the work that Zoe does you can visit https://www.ncarts.org/ and be sure to stay updated on what UPLIFT is doing at https://www.uplifttourism.com/.

Join us for an engaging conversation with Palmer McIntyre from the Great Trails State Coalition! Palmer is the Coordinator for the North Carolina Great Trails State Coalition and former Director of the NC Year of the Trail, and shared insights into the coalition's primary objectives and origins. We explore initiatives like the Year of the Trail, which ignited statewide enthusiasm for trails, and discuss how you can support the coalition's efforts. Plus, we're here to spread the word about the upcoming Great Trails State Conference in September! For more information on becoming a member or registering for the conference, visit https://greattrailsstatecoalition.org/ and be sure to stay updated on what UPLIFT is doing here: https://www.uplifttourism.com/.

Join us as we get to talk with Kullen and Philip Bell, from the Coharie Tribe in Sampson County! Kullen has stepped into a leadership role within the Great Coharie River Initiative and been at the helm of the Coharie’s eco-tourism activities (Coharie River Tours), coordinating and leading kayaking tours for hundreds of individuals throughout the state. Philip is the co-creator of The Great Coharie River Initiative and oversees environmental operations in the local rivers, aquatic environs of the tribal community, and supports tribal cultural arts programs. Coharie River Tours provide residents and visitors of Sampson County a resource for guided kayak trips, history of Coharie Tribe, the exploration of nature, relaxation, adventure, self-discovery, and a greater overall connection with the outdoors. To learn more about the Coharie Tribe and book a kayak trip visit: https://coharietribe.org/ and be sure to stay updated on what UPLIFT is doing here: https://www.uplifttourism.com/.

Join us as we explore the inspiring story of STARworks, an organization dedicated to fostering creativity and innovation in rural North Carolina through ceramics, glass, and metal arts.

Our guests are Dr. David Jones and Nancy Gottovi. Nancy, the Executive Director of STARworks, holds a PhD in Cultural Anthropology and has been recognized for her leadership in sustainable business and creative place-making. David, a seasoned veterinarian and zoologist, has led the North Carolina Zoological Park and the Zoological Society of London, has worked globally in wildlife conservation and rural development, and is on the advisory board at STARworks.

Discover how STARworks has revitalized its community and learn from David and Nancy's insights on innovative rural development and the power of arts in creating vibrant communities.

To learn more about STARworks visit: https://www.starworksnc.org/ and be sure to stay updated on what UPLIFT is doing: https://www.uplifttourism.com/.

Join us as we talk with Thomas Salley! Thomas is the tourism director for Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Prior to his career in tourism with the Town of Wilkesboro, Mr. Salley worked for 12 years at Raffaldini Vineyards, managing the tasting room and marketing. Mr. Salley has had the privilege of serving more than twenty years in the customer service industry, from the bathroom to the board room, in theaters, concert and event venues, wine, and tourism. Mr. Salley also serves as the marketing chair of the NC Wine and Grape Council, and on the High Country Host Executive Board, Yadkin Valley Heritage Corridor Board, and Wilkes Healthy Action Team, Wilkes County Library Endowment Board, Wilkes Youth Life Development board, Wilkes Chamber of commerce board, among others. Check out what’s going on in Wilkesboro here https://www.wilkescountytourism.com/, and be sure to stay updated on what UPLIFT is doing here: https://www.uplifttourism.com/.