In reviewing the scholarship applications, I cannot tell you how hard it was to pick the award recipients from all the applicants. Virginia schools are sometimes criticized for various reasons, but the applicants we considered were hardworking, ambitious, and had character. All those we spoke to credited certain teachers as inspiring and all thought their schools had prepared them well for college.

OK, they did say, “…and stuff” a lot.

Regardless, I was genuinely impressed by all these young people and feel they are a great reflection on their schools and their community. They are not entering an easy job market; then again, I don’t recall any job market I’ve ever seen that was “easy.” But I believe these students have the drive, focus and personal qualities that lead to success.

The Luray High School winners were Mary Lee Clark and Samantha Strickler. They should be proud of themselves, and we should be proud of them, too.

The Page County HS recipients will be announced June 4.

– John Robbins, president

McClenny opened her remarks by saying, “Tourism is big business,” and she had the numbers to prove it.

Among her points:

• Tourism expenditures directly generated 207,000 jobs in Virginia in 2011. 
• Tourism expenditures statewide increased 8.0 percent to $20.4 billion in 2011.
• Tourism in Virginia directly generated more than $2.6 billion in tax revenue for federal, state and local governments in 2011.
• In Virginia, total wages and salary earned by travel-generated employees and workers reached nearly $7.9 billion in 2011, up 3.3 percent from 2010. 
• As we’ve reported in the past, tourist spending in Page County alone was nearly $60 million in 2011, up from about $51 million in 2007.

McClenny cited changing trends in American manufacturing as one of the forces making tourism more important to the U.S. economy than ever. A native Virginian, she closed her remarks by telling the audience, “You live in one of the most beautiful places in the world.”

– John Robbins, president

Enjoy some photos of the event here.

We had 36 vendors and more than 1,000 shoppers in five hours.

We didn’t even open until 8:00 but customers showed up at 7:30 and practically knocked down the gates to get in early.

It was a long but profitable day for most, with some expert price-haggling evident and a fair amount of humor. The funniest line of the day came from an elderly couple who walked up to the Chamber display table. They were holding hands, and the woman said, “Most people think we’re in love, but we’re really just holding each other up.”

A “BIG PAT” on the back to Gina Hilliard for a great event idea. I don’t think we’ve ever had 1,000 people at any other function. And thanks to Luray High School for the use of Bulldog Field!

Because of all the positive feedback, we’re planning to run this event again in September.

– John Robbins, president

Check out this video from Fox News Channel 27 in Charlottesville.

May 11th Ceremony will Celebrate the A.T.!

Luray and Page County, Virginia, have received approval for official designation as an Appalachian Trail Community™ from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), the nonprofit responsible for management and protection of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.).

There are just 29 such designated communities along the 2,184.- mile Trail. The title recognizes areas that promote the A.T. as an important asset and stimulates awareness of the protection the Trail needs.

With several access points to the A.T. (and many other trails in Shenandoah National Park and George Washington National Forest), Page County has an established reputation as a “hiker-friendly” area with a strong commitment to sustaining outdoor recreation. Cycling, camping, horseback riding, fishing, canoeing, cavern-exploring and other activities are hugely popular.

“The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is proud to celebrate communities that are helping to protect and promote the Appalachian Trail,” said Julie Judkins, Community Program Manager for the ATC. “These new partnerships will increase local stewardship of public lands, support community initiatives for sustainable economic development and conservation planning as well as support healthy lifestyles for community citizens.”

“Page County offers a full slate of services to those enjoying the A.T.,” said John Robbins, president of the Luray-Page County Chamber of Commerce. “We are truly honored to receive this designation and think it confirms our reputation as a hub for outdoor recreation. We thank the ATC, and the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, which helped us garner this recognition.”

To celebrate the official A.T. designation, a ceremony and a number of activities will be conducted at:

Ruffner Plaza, May 11, 2013 at 2 PM during Luray’s Festival of Spring

Several distinguished speakers will make remarks on the importance of the designation, including:

• Mark Wenger, Executive Director, Appalachian Trail Conservancy 
• Wendy Janssen, Superintendent, NPS, Appalachian National Scenic Trail
• Jim Northup, Superintendent, Shenandoah National Park 
• Mayor of Luray Barry Presgraves
• Mayor of Shenandoah Clinton Lucas
• Mayor of Stanley Douglas Purdham 
• Karen Lutz, Regional Director, Appalachian Trail Conservancy
• Will Meade, AT Thru Hiker

Outdoor demonstrations and information booths will operate from 10 am to 4 pm. These will include:

• Girl Scouts Flag Raising Ceremony – 10 am 
• Snake and reptiles – Luray Rescue Zoo
• AT Kids Mural-Luray Downtown Initiative/Page Valley Arts Council
• Page County Fire Dept./Smokey the Bear
• Kids Trout Fishing-Luray Downtown Initiatve/Luray Parks and Recreation
• Boy Scouts Dutch Oven Cooking
• SNP Cross Cutting Saw Demo
• Canoe/Kayak Display-Shenandoah River Outfitters
• Appalachian Trail Conservancy
• Front Royal-Warren County AT Community Group
• Shenandoah National Park Association
• Luray-Page Chamber of Commerce

For more information about Page County, VA, visit: www.luraypage.com. To learn more about the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, visit: www.appalachiantrail.org.

How can each group achieve its mission, while also synchronizing with other organizations?

Be sure to attend the chamber’s second Business Networking Breakfast of the year Thursday, May 9 at 7:30 am at the Mimslyn Inn.

Our guest speaker is Sara Levinson, president of CORECON, a private consulting firm that provides services in strategic planning, financing and organizational restructuring.

She works with nonprofit and profit organizations, and is currently a board member of Performing Arts Luray. Ms. Levinson will discuss ‘Fundraising in a small community: Challenges and Opportunities’.

Each year, Page County’s service organizations, charities and civic groups vie for the same pot of money from area businesses and individuals.

– John Robbins, president

A 2012 study conducted by the Outdoor Industry Association found that outdoor recreation has some powerful impacts on the economy. The study examined 10 outdoor sports such as cycling, camping, fishing, ATV usage, etc. See VA Stats here.

Nationwide, outdoor recreation generates $646 billion in direct consumer spending-from product development and manufacturing to gear purchases and trip-related expenses. In Virginia alone, outdoor sports were responsible for directly supporting 138,200 jobs, $13.6 billion in direct consumer spending, and $923 million in state and local tax revenue.

Which makes me think that we all could be doing more to sell Page County as a major hub of outdoor recreation. Last week, a couple stopped into the Visitors Center, saying they were here for a week and were particularly interested in cycling routes. We know that many families have a tradition of coming here to fish or stay in a campground. And if you add up our opportunities for canoeing, backpacking, camping, horseback riding, swimming, tubing, cycling, skiing, zip-lining, or just walking the Greenway, it is clear that we have a multitude of outdoor opportunities that can lure city-choked tourists here. While advertising budgets can only be stretched so far, we need to take better advantage of the tremendous interest in outdoor sports-because we have a tremendous package to sell.

– John Robbins, president

Mountains to Main StreetsThe Chamber and LDI are working with tourism and Main Street programs in Waynesboro and Harrisonburg to promote a passport that encourages visitors to take in our small town charm. We are looking for prizes to award for the passports — an overnight stay, dinner and an attraction. Get YOUR name on this marketing effort that will go to three counties, SNP, Massanutten Resort and online! Contact Gina for details.

If you’ve become disabled because of an accident or medical condition, or if you’re an employer open to hiring people with disabilities, we encourage you to contact Virginia’s Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services. They offer various resources and programs that help connect employers and disabled individuals– who still want to be productive and independent, even if they need a new type of job.

On-the-job training, reimbursements to employers, work opportunity tax credits, counseling services, assistance technology and vocational rehabilitation are among the many forms of help available. Chamber staff recently met with reps from this agency and hope to facilitate linking them and their services to our community. For more information, contact Bret Hart, Cindy Roberts, or visit their website.