Wilkes EDC participated in the 6th Annual Outdoor Economy Conference, held September 15–18 in Cherokee, North Carolina. The event welcomed more than 700 participants from 37 states, bringing together leaders from across the nation to explore how outdoor assets can drive economic growth, community health, and environmental resilience.
Francisco Martinez, Marketing Manager for Wilkes EDC, represented the organization and its role as an active member of the Wilkes Outdoor Economy Workgroup. As part of this collaborative team, Wilkes EDC provides funding, participates in planning, and helps implement initiatives that strengthen Wilkes County’s outdoor economy. The organization also plays a key role in sharing the Workgroup’s progress and highlighting collective successes.
At the conference, Wilkes EDC hosted an informational booth that featured the 2022 Wilkes Outdoor Action Plan, the Great State of Wilkes Story Map, and measurable outcomes from Workgroup initiatives. Attendees accessed resources through QR codes, reviewed physical copies of the study, and learned about the collaborative framework that drives outdoor economic development in Wilkes County.
The Workgroup was also featured in a presentation titled Many Voices, One Vision, delivered by Heather Murphy, Executive Director of the Health Foundation; Jenn Wages, Assistant Director of the Health Foundation; and Andrew Carlton, Town of Wilkesboro Director of Planning and Community Development. The session highlighted how the Workgroup uses a Collective Impact Framework to align businesses, nonprofits, local government, and community stakeholders toward shared goals. This framework focuses on five key elements: a common agenda, a backbone support organization, shared measurement, mutually reinforced activity, and continuous communication.
Participation in the conference gave Wilkes EDC and its partners new insights and strategies from peers across the country. These lessons reinforce ongoing efforts to expand Wilkes County’s outdoor economy. By engaging as an equal partner, Wilkes EDC is helping to position the region as a leader in outdoor-driven economic development.
