In this episode of the Chamber Chat podcast, host Brandon Burton welcomes Shelly Batty, the Chamber Director for the Lake County Chamber of Commerce in Oregon. Shelly shares her unique experiences living in a vast, sparsely populated area, emphasizing the challenges and opportunities of promoting rural tourism. With a population of just 8,000 spread over 8,000 square miles, Shelly discusses the importance of diversifying local economies and advocating for small businesses in a frontier community. She highlights the region's natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and the need for a balance between tourism and maintaining the community's rural charm.

Shelly elaborates on the various attractions that draw tourists to Lake County, including its designation as the largest dark sky sanctuary in the world, alkaline lakes, and historical significance. She also touches on the innovative ways the community is working to attract visitors while preserving its unique character. The conversation wraps up with Shelly offering insights on how chambers of commerce can remain relevant by focusing on community strength and collaboration, rather than just event planning. This episode is a treasure trove of information for anyone interested in rural tourism and community development.

Transcript and show notes found at this link.

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