Tourism Currents

10/09/2026

I am well-trained by both Deb and Becky with Saveyour.town, and the smarties at Texas Downtown, to spot interesting things that towns can do with empty storefront windows 😊. Saw this clever use of historic City Directory data in downtown Visit Helena, Arkansas during this year's King Biscuit Blues Festival.

10/07/2026

I'm proud that Tourism Currents is sponsoring and attending the National Scenic Byways Conference going on right now in City of West Memphis, Arkansas, co-presented by the National Scenic Byway Association and the The Great River Road / Mississippi River Parkway Commission.

10/05/2026

One of the OG tourism marketing blogs (another is Uwishunu from Visit Philly) so I'm happy to see this I Love Memphis sign at the airport baggage claim. ❤️

10/01/2026

Even if you aren't in Texas, this Texas Downtown webinar will help you with ideas for snazzing up for the holidays. Featured towns Visit Grapevine, Marshall Main Street, and Downtown Denton Foundation do amazing things every year; grab some of their ideas for your downtown or Main Street. ☃🎄🕎

✨ What makes a downtown a holiday destination?

Join Texas Downtown for Creating Magic Downtown: Holiday Ideas from Three Texas Downtowns! Panelists from Grapevine, Marshall, and Denton will share how they’ve grown their holiday programming, attracted visitors, and partnered with local businesses to keep downtown bustling throughout the season.

Hear practical ideas for marketing, funding, encouraging visitors to shop and dine, and measuring success. Plus, lessons learned along the way.

Wednesday, October 21, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. | Live webinar

Bring your questions and leave inspired to create a little more holiday magic in your downtown!

🔗 Register: https://texasdowntown.glueup.com/event/creating-christmas-magic-downtown-196467/

09/29/2026

Congrats, GAMSA (Great American Main Street Awards) semi-finalists! You're doing SUCH great things for downtown and economic development; we are proud to be Main Street America members.

We are SO excited to announce this year's 2027 Great American Main Street Awards (GAMSA) semifinalists! GAMSA recognizes Main Street programs that demonstrate exceptional achievement in downtown revitalization, and these eight semifinalists show how communities can grow and thrive with the Main Street Approach. Congratulations, semifinalists!

Center City of Amarillo
Astoria Downtown Historic District Association
Downtown Excelsior Partnership
Downtown Johnson City
Downtown Lake Orion
Montpelier Alive
MainStreet Oceanside
Sapulpa Main Street

09/23/2026

So, how are we feeling about the new page organic link restrictions unless you pay for Meta One? I think they stink! 😤

09/22/2026

Celebrate taking the scenic route in the U.S. - it's National Scenic Byway Day on Sept 22! Scenic byways are a huge tourism asset, particularly for small towns and rural areas:

Celebrating taking the scenic route in the U.S. - it's National Scenic Byway Day! Scenic byways are a huge tourism asset.

09/17/2026

Want less noise and fewer trolls in your page comments section? Turn this setting on, plus some other social media comms tips from Downtown Florence, South Carolina, at the Main Street Now Conference with Main Street America, in my latest blog post:

Want less noise and fewer trolls in your page comments section? Turn this setting on, plus some other social media comms tips.

09/16/2026

In Nov 1926, a new U.S. nationwide highway network was approved. Join us as we talk about that system's legacy, and why those highways still matter today, featuring Bob Cullen from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) with my lovely clients the National Scenic Byway Association:

In Nov 1926, a new nationwide highway network was approved. We'll talk about that system's legacy & why those highways still matter today.

09/03/2026

Good cross-promotion can lift up an entire community, and Instagram has 3 features that can help your tourism marketing. Includes a pizza example by Visit Connecticut:

Good cross-promotion can lift up an entire community, and Instagram has 3 features that can help your tourism marketing.