Clark elected to TACVB Board of Directors

Sonia Outlaw-Clark

Sonia Outlaw-Clark, Director of the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville, has been elected to the Tennessee Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus Board of Directors. Board members were elected by the membership during their annual meeting at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism in September 2012 and officially took office January 1, 2013. Clark will serve a three-year term as the West Tennessee representative. Barry Young, Sumner County CVB Director and Brownsville native, was also elected to a two-year term representing Middle Tennessee.

TACVB’s board members represent a broad and diverse group of tourism professionals from all areas of the state. Newly elected officers of the Association are Chairman Shelda S. Rees, Chattanooga CVB; Vice-Chair, Kim Bumpas, Visit Knoxville; Secretary Lori Nunnery, Jackson CVB; Treasurer Theresa Harrington, Clarksville-Montgomery County CVB; Immediate Past Chair Rhonda Adams, Dickson County Chamber. Other Board members include Laura Canada, Cookeville-Putnam County (East TN rep); Mark Shore, Williamson County CVB (Middle TN rep); Katy Brown, Oak Ridge CVB; Brenda McCroskey, Sevierville CVB; Calvin Taylor, Memphis CVB; Jennifer Wheatley, Paris-Henry County Chamber; and Melissa Woody, Cleveland-Bradley County Chamber. Affiliate members elected to one-year terms are: Tubby Kubik, Chocklett Press; Craig Richards, Collinson Media; and Mary Steadman, Miles.

“TACVB is fortunate to have outstanding community leaders willing to volunteer their time and talent to enhance Tennessee’s reputation for hospitality,” said Sheila Leggett, TACVB Executive Director.  “The importance of tourism in Tennessee cannot be overstated.  It is one of Tennessee’s largest industries, and provides billions of dollars of direct economic impact and sales tax revenues annually.”

The Tennessee Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus is a non-profit organization representing the state's official destination management and marketing organizations.  It is dedicated to the advancement of issues and activities deemed to be in the best interest of the Tennessee tourism industry and, specifically, the membership of the organization.

JOEL SOUTHERN APPOINTED PERMANENT CEO AT HAYWOOD PARK COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

Joel Southern

Joel Southern has been named permanent Chief Executive Officer of Haywood Park Community Hospital, Brownsville, Tenn., effective immediately. He has served as interim chief executive officer since August 2012.

“Haywood Park is an important resource to this community,” said Southern. “I’ve enjoyed working with the medical staff, board and employees of Haywood Park over the past six months and look forward to building upon the groundwork we’ve laid together.”

In his previous role as Chief Nursing Officer at Henderson County Community Hospital, Southern contributed to the hospital’s designation as a Joint Commission Top Performer on Key Quality Measures two years in a row. The hospital was also recognized for excellence in inpatient and employee satisfaction as well as outstanding performance on Core Measures. Before that, as CNO at Parkway Medical Center in Decatur, Alabama, the hospital received the “Best in Value” award and was accredited by the Society of Chest Pain Centers and as a Bariatric Center of Excellence.

“Joel’s career has been dedicated to achieving the highest standards of quality and providing patients with exceptional service,” said Michael Banks, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Haywood Park Community Hospital. “His expertise will only enhance Haywood Park’s reputation of delivering the finest care to the people we serve.”

Southern received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing with concentrations in Hospital and Healthcare Administration from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Brownsville Police Department Plans Holiday Crackdown

Holiday party-goers, beware!  To help save lives this holiday season, the Brownsville Police Department is launching a special “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” crackdown to stop impaired drivers and to save lives on our roadways.

Officers will be aggressively looking for impaired drivers and will arrest anyone caught driving impaired. Enforcement efforts will include sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols.  The special enforcement crackdown will run from December 12, 2012, through January 1, 2013.

“Lots of folks will be out during this busy holiday season, enjoying themselves and the holiday festivities, and we want everyone to be safe on our roadways.” said Lt. Barry Diebold.  “That’s why we will be stepping up enforcement to catch and arrest impaired drivers.  Please be forewarned.  If you are caught drinking and driving impaired, you will be arrested. No warnings. No excuses.”

During 2010, more than 10,000 people were killed nationwide in motor vehicle traffic crashes involving an impaired driver.

The holiday season is a particularly dangerous time. During December 2010, 30 percent of all fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes involved alcohol-impaired drivers. Data also shows that among those alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities, 71 percent occurred when drivers had nearly twice the legal limit blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .15 grams per deciliter or higher. 

“No one ever thinks that their holiday celebration will end in jail, or worse, in a hospital or the morgue,” said Brownsville Police Chief Chris Lea.  “But for those who include alcohol in their celebrations and then get behind the wheel, this is often the case.”   

It is illegal in all 50 States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to drive with a BAC of .08 or higher.  According to the Brownsville Police Department, violators face jail time, loss of driver license, and steep financial consequences such as higher insurance rates, attorney fees, court costs, lost time at work, and the potential loss of job.

Chief Lea says there are three simple steps people can take to stay safe and out of trouble:

1. Plan ahead.  If you will be drinking, do not plan on driving. Designate a sober driver or find another safe way home. Even one too many drinks increases the risk of a crash while driving a motor vehicle.  
2. If you are impaired, find another way home.  Call a sober friend or family member.
3. Be responsible.  If someone you know is drinking, do not let them get behind the wheel.  If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement.  Your actions may save someone’s life, and inaction could cost a life. 

“We want everyone to enjoy their holidays, but we also want our roadways to be safe,” said Lt Diebold. “We will be out in force to help save lives, and we are not going to tolerate impaired driving. So remember, ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.’ We will be watching.”

For more information, visit the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Campaign Headquarters at www.nhtsa.gov/drivesober

Don’t Let Holiday Celebrations End Tragically

The holidays are a wonderful time of year, filled with celebrations, time with loved ones and good cheer. But, for the 775 families whose loved ones were killed during December 2010 in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes, the joyous celebrations ended in disaster. 

That’s why the Brownsville Police Department is joining with highway safety partners and law enforcement organizations across the country this December to remind people that during the holidays and throughout the year, drinking alcohol and driving do not mix and that Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.

“Drinking and driving is never a good combination, and it’s just not worth the risk,” said Brownsville Chief Chris Lea.  “Driving a vehicle or riding a motorcycle while intoxicated jeopardizes your safety and the safety of others on our roads.  If you are going to drink, plan another way home before the celebration begins, and encourage your friends and family to do the same.” 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 32,885 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes during 2010 and 31 percent (10,228) of those fatalities involved alcohol-impaired drivers.

The holiday season is particularly dangerous. During December 2010, 2,597 people lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes, and 775 of those were killed in crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers.

“This tragic loss of life can be reduced if we get impaired drivers off our roadways,” says Lt. Barry Diebold. “That’s why we are working hard to remind everyone to never drink and drive.”

This holiday season, the Brownsville Police Department is encouraging people to take three simple steps to ensure their holiday celebrations don’t end in tragedy.  

1.      Plan ahead; be sure to designate a sober driver before the party begins.

2.      If you will be drinking, do not plan on driving.  Even one drink too many increases the risk of a crash while driving a motor vehicle. If you are impaired, find another way home. Call a sober friend or family member.

3.      Be responsible.  If someone you know is drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel.  If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Your actions may save someone’s life, and inaction could cost a life. 

“The holidays should be a time for celebration, not tragedy,” says Chief Lea.  “Please help us make Brownsville’s roadways safe by never driving after drinking. Remember, Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving, so never drink and drive.”

For more information on Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving, please visit www.TrafficSafetyMarketing.gov.  

Brownsville kicks off the holidays with new traditions

Brownsville will kick off the holiday season Thursday, November 29, with a plethora of events planned for the whole family. Among the activities are the lighting of the community Christmas Tree, a visit from Santa, opening of this year’s Festival of Trees, Brownsville – Let it Shine Church Illumination and Thursday Night Shop Hop.

Parade Grand Marshal Carolyn Flagg
will throw the switch to
illuminate the tree.

For the first time in many years, an official tree lighting will signal the start of the holiday season in Brownsville. City and County officials will join the chamber and business association to mark the beginning of what is hoped to become a long-standing tradition.

"The tree is something we have talked about for over a year and I'm excited to see it happening," says Chamber President Clinton Neal. "We also have lots of other fun activities planned and hope everyone will come out for an evening downtown."

According to Neal, the tree will be approximately 18 feet tall and will stand at the front of the courthouse. The lighting ceremony will begin at 6 p.m., and includes a performance by the Haywood High School Show Choir.

Area children are invited to stop by and visit with Santa inside the courthouse beginning at 5 p.m. Parents are encouraged to bring a camera to be sure and capture the moment. Kids will also be able to drop off their letters to Santa at a special mailbox located at Morris Jewelers. Santa will return to Brownsville every Thursday night until Christmas.

Area clubs and organizations, along with local businesses, will display themed Christmas trees for public viewing beginning Thursday evening as part of the Brownsville Exchange Club’s “Festival of Trees.” Enjoy hot chocolate and other goodies while browsing the displayed trees inside the courthouse. The exhibits will remain open during regular business hours through December 5.

Local churches will show off their beautiful stained glass windows during a “Church Illumination” walking and driving tour of downtown churches from 5-7 p.m. This is a new Brownsville – Let it Shine event presented by the Tennessee Downtown – Brownsville Steering Committee.

Sixteen local merchants will remain open until 7 p.m., for shopper’s convenience beginning Thursday, November 29, and continuing on Thursday evenings through December 20.

"We're happy to be teaming with the Chamber this year," says Kenny Ellington, president of the Brownsville Business Association. "It's given us an opportunity to bring back Thursday night shopping and build some new traditions."

The “Thursday Night Shop Hop”  kicks-off the beginning of the Brownsville Business Association’s Shop Brownsville First campaign. The campaign allows shoppers to make local purchases during a time more convenient for them and to register for great prizes. The big prize giveaway will take place December 20, 7 p.m., on the courthouse lawn.

Haywood County's Youth Leadership class will be offering free gift wrapping to anyone presenting a local receipt on November 29. The Youth Leadership class will be set up at Insouth Bank from 5-7 p.m.

For more information about these or other upcoming events, contact the Brownsville-Haywood County Chamber of Commerce, 731-772-2193, Brownsville Business Association, 731-780-5144, or visit www.ShopBrownsvilleTN.com.

Tourism generates $13.46 Million in economic impact for Brownsville and Haywood County

In 2011, tourism generated $13.46 million in economic impact for Brownsville and Haywood County, Tenn.  This is a 4 percent increase over the previous year and includes $1.3 million in local and state tax revenue. Haywood County ranks fifth in Southwest Tennessee for direct tourism expenditures.

“From our fire and safety protection to our public education system, our community relies on tourism,” said Sonia Outlaw-Clark, director of the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center. “Travel supports not only the 80 travel-dependent workers in Brownsville, it also brought in $580,000 in local sales tax revenues."

 With our location on Interstate 40, travel promotion is an important economic driver for Brownsville and Haywood County. Contributing to these figures is the more than $84,000 collected through the local hotel/motel tax. According to Clark, the hotel/motel tax collected in 2011-12 fiscal year was up .2 percent over the previous year. Visitors to the Delta Heritage Center also increased more than 4 percent during 2011.

"These numbers will continue to increase as we develop our tourism product and give visitors a reason to stay longer," explains Clark.

The 2011 tourism impact numbers were announced at the Governor's Tourism Conference held in Sevierville in late September. The economic impact for the state is a record $15.36 billion spent by visitors. The figures represented an increase of 8.7 percent from 2010. This is the first time the state has exceeded $15 billion. It was also the sixth consecutive year that tourism businesses generated more than a billion dollars in state and local sales tax revenue. For the second year in a row, all of Tennessee's 95 counties saw an increase in direct tourism expenditures.

The West Tennessee DeltaHeritage Center is the primary destination marketing organization for Brownsville.

Entrepreneur Development Center Launch slated

The Entrepreneur Development Center (EDC) will host its launch event on Tuesday, October 23, at the Aeneas Building in downtown Jackson, Tenn.  The launch event, scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m., will feature Matt Kisber, President and CEO of Silicon Ranch Corporation; and, successful entrepreneur, Carl Kirkland, co-founder and Chairman Emeritus of Kirklands.

 “Much of the growth in our economy in recent years has been in the small business sector, as a result of entrepreneurship.  The launch of this center today will help foster the continued growth and development of small businesses,” said Kisber, who is also the former Commissioner of the Tennessee Economic Development Commission.

The Entrepreneur Development Center will help budding entrepreneurs in Jackson and the Southwest Tennessee, including Haywood County, area develop their businesses from idea generation to business launch.  The EDC will pair entrepreneurs with successful business leaders who will serve as their mentors during their time in the center.

 “Through entrepreneurship, I've lived the American Dream," said Carl Kirkland.  "The beauty of this country is that you can start with little more than a dream and build a successful business that provides jobs and economic growth.”

The EDC is a part of Governor Haslam’s Startup Tennessee Initiative designed to spur job creation and economic growth and to make Tennessee the number one place for high-growth and high-knowledge businesses. 

According to Dr. Linda Garrard, Executive Director of the EDC, “Our new center strives to be the “front door" for entrepreneurs in Southwest Tennessee. We will help our entrepreneurs build their businesses by connecting them to the critical resources they need to be successful. These critical resources include experienced mentors, knowledge, training, seed capital and a supportive community.”

The launch event will showcase the talents of local entrepreneurs like, Marci Harris.  Marci began public service as “Tornado Recovery Coordinator”, charged with managing the rebuilding of Jackson following a devastating tornado in 2003. After earning a law degree, and working in public service, Marci Harris left a career on Capitol Hill in February 2010, to build POPVOX, a neutral, nonpartisan platform for civic engagement and legislative information.

Launched in January 2011, POPVOX has delivered over 500,000 messages to Congress from users in every Congressional district. In 2011, POPVOX won the SxSW BizSpark Accelerator startup competition. Harris is a recipient of a 2012 Tribeca Film Festival Disruptive Innovation Award and was named #13 of the “Top 100 Most Creative People in Business” by Fast Company magazine.

For additional information on the Entrepreneur Development Center (ECD), email, info@startupedc.com.  Seating is limited for the launch event; please call (731) 554-5555 to reserve your seat. Sponsors for this event include: Aeneas Internet and Telephone, West Tennessee Healthcare, University of Memphis, Freed-Hardeman University, Premier Place Catering. This project is funded under an agreement with the State of Tennessee.