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 »

Both the West Virginia International Film Festival and the 2008 World Highland Games Heavy Events Championship further illustrate the state’s global connection and our opportunities for cultural enrichment.
From April 22-27 some of this year’s best international films can been seen at the Capitol Center Theater in Charleston. The first screening will feature “Burning the Future: [...]

Posted in Culture, Media, Tourism, West Virginia 1 Comment »

Volunteering is a great way to become part of your community. Coming together for the benefit of a common cause enriches both those who contribute and those who will directly benefit. Generation Charleston’s community outreach team will host its first quarter service project on Saturday, April 19, from 9:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. Volunteers may [...]

Posted in Culture, West Virginia 2 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 »

Maple Creative’s Skip Lineberg and I will present “Business for Breakfast” at the Charleston Marriott’s Whitewater Grille, on April 25, from 7:30-8:30 a.m. The focus will be Web 2.0: Blogs, Pods and Twitters — How Emerging Internet Technologies Can Enhance Business Communications. We’ll consider the growing importance of blogs, podcasts, and social media sites like [...]

Posted in Business, Media, Tourism, West Virginia 4 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 »

The former Weston Hospital had capacity to provide for up to 2,000 mental health patients until it closed in 1994. This National Historic Landmark remained quiet until 2007, when a contractor purchased it for $1.5 million. The new owners recently decided to market the location by its pre-Civil War name, the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum.
That [...]

Posted in Culture, Tourism, West Virginia 5 Comments »