By Todd Beane
Ecotourism and sustainable tourism are new buzz words in an industry that is taking greater notice of society’s environmental impact. Responsible travel to natural areas helps conserve the environment and improve the well-being of local people. Broken down into simple terms, ecotourism is the concept [...]

Posted in Economy, Education, Tourism, West Virginia No Comments »

West Virginia’s tourism sector has become a significant economic engine, given the state’s natural beauty, outdoor recreational opportunities, and proximity to major markets such as Washington D.C., Pittsburgh and Charlotte. Tourism-related industry employs 44,000 workers and contributes $532 million to state tax revenues, according to Tourism Commissioner Betty Carver, who presented at a recent West [...]

Posted in Business, Culture, Economy, Tourism, West Virginia 2 Comments »

The West Virginia Young Leadership Conference is scheduled for April 23 in Morgantown. While retaining and attracting talented youth is a challenge for West Virginia, the movement to change such has been gaining momentum.
Young people across the state are coming together to expand business opportunities, build professional networks, and enhance the quality of life in [...]

Posted in Business, Culture, Economy, West Virginia 2 Comments »

It’s Entrepreneurship Week West Virginia, and from Feb. 23-29, numerous events will be taking place across the state, providing current and prospective business owners with several free training and networking opportunities. The schedule of events include the WVU Entrepreneurship Film Festival, Entrepreneurship Day at the Capitol, in addition to several marketing, finance, and business development [...]

Posted in Business, Economy, Government, West Virginia 2 Comments »

West Virginia has always possessed many forward-thinkers, but 2007 could mark a turning point in the state’s cultural and economic future. A significant number of community, business, and opinion leaders are shifting from traditional approaches to development given the realization that a “new economy” has arrived, and if measures are not taken to adapt, many [...]

Posted in Business, Culture, Economy, Government, Tourism, West Virginia 16 Comments »

The Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour will travel to the Mountain State on Nov. 15 from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at West Virginia University Tech (Davis Hall). This free session will provide students, entrepreneurs, and community leaders the opportunity to network and brainstorm, in addition to refining their entrepreneurial ideas and initiatives. The agenda format is available here.
Interested persons [...]

Posted in Business, Economy, Government, West Virginia 1 Comment »

The state’s natural environment, including the Monongahela National Forest, is one of its greatest assets. The “Mon” provides a recreational outlet for thousands of residents and visitors, offering some of the best hiking, fishing, camping and hunting opportunities on the East Coast. The hills, streams and trees provide a needed escape from the hustle-and-bustle [...]

Posted in Culture, Economy, Government, Tourism, West Virginia 7 Comments »