The annual Endless Mountains Heritage Region (EMHR) membership meeting will be held at the Wysox Fire Hall on Friday, Oct. 6. After a brief business meeting, a morning conference featuring professional speakers with backgrounds in marketing and branding, historic preservation, trail networks, and funding sources will begin at 9:30 am and conclude with a buffet lunch and overview of projects underway in the Endless Mountains Heritage Region.
The conference is open to the public, and reservations are required by Wednesday, Sept. 20.
“This event provides a great opportunity for directors and project managers of any organization or agency related to the preservation and promotion of recreational, environmental, historical, and heritage-related interests to meet and hear from experts and state agency representatives,” said EMHR director Annette Schultz (above). “It is an honor to bring five speakers of this quality together for our members and partners.”
Greg O’Loughlin (above) of SWELL Marketing Solutions will kick off the conference by sharing his knowledge of the mechanics of developing a strong brand and message and will facilitate a discussion of the Heritage Region’s vision, mission and message.
The next four speakers will comprise a panel. Bryan Van Sweden (above) and Shelby Splain of the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission will discuss the Statewide Historic Preservation Plan and current trends in funding and implementing historic preservation projects. Christine Dettore (below, left), EMHR’s DCNR liaison, will discuss options for funding heritage and historic preservation projects through DCNR and partner agencies. Trish Carothers (below, right) of the Susquehanna Greenways Partnership will present the status of SGP’s work to promote and revitalize river towns through civic engagement that focuses on strengthening community connections to the River with a network of land and water trails and parks.
After the approval of new board members and officers, Schultz will provide an overview of projects that have been supported by EMHR and discuss new directions for the organization.
Cost for participation in the conference from 9:30 am to 1 pm is $25 per person and includes lunch. Interested readers should call 570-265-1528 to register for the event.
The Wysox Fire Hall is located at 111 Lake Road, Wysox, PA 18854.