Class of 2014 Visits Southwest Virginia

Since our initial meeting, I have been anticipating our LEAD VIRGINIA session in Southwest Virginia. I have had the unique opportunity to work with many of the visionaries in the area as they leverage a rich culture and breathtaking beauty to establish the region as a tourism destination like no other. Our session's co-chairs - Shannon Blevins, Director of Economic Development, The University of Virginia's College at Wise and LEAD VIRGINIA Class of 2008; Glen "Skip" Skinner, Executive Director, LENOWISCO Planning District Commission and LEAD VIRGINIA Class of 2008; and Art Mead, Assistant Director, Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service and LEAD VIRGINIA Class of 2007 - put together an outstanding agenda that allowed our class to sample the creative culture, transitioning economy, and incredible people that make up Southwest Virginia.

Every time I have made the long trip down from Richmond, I have been blown away by what Southwest Virginia has to offer. This session was no different, and it would be impossible to say there was one event that was the highlight of the trip. Instead, the creative culture of the region stands out as a highlight in itself. The exceptional cuisine and atmosphere of The Tavern Restaurant; the first-class performers of The Barter Theatre; the variety of flavors created by the Mountain Rose Vineyard; the heritage embraced by the Mountain Music School String Band; the community coming together to celebrate it all with dancing at Lays Hardware - all of this merges into a vibrant cultural experience that will not be forgotten by our class.

I was struck by how far the region had come in embracing its new future as a destination. In my initial conversations with leaders in the area they spoke of their struggle with an economy that was changing faster than the mindset of the community. But I was impressed when listening to presentations beside the Clinch River from various groups who are turning the natural beauty of the region into a new economic driver. It was also encouraging to hear Mike Quillen, Founder/ex-CEO - Chairman of Alpha Natural Resources, recognize that the beauty of the region was a natural resource as important as coal to the future of Southwest Virginia. Richard Rose, Producing Artistic Director of The Barter Theatre and longtime champion of the area's creative culture, also walked us through the impact that art, culture, and tourism can have on a community. All of this showed me that the locals had made monumental strides in embracing and celebrating Southwest Virginia as a destination.

As we loaded onto the bus to start our way home, I was glad to see my classmates so amazed and impressed with their experience in Southwest Virginia. The fact that many of them had expected so much less from the session tells me there's still work to be done in telling the region's story. But the Class of 2014 will now go back to their respective corners of the Commonwealth and be able to tell others of the treasure that lives down I-81 a spell.

Contributed by: Matt Fidler, Senior Vice President & Creative Director, Charles Ryan Associates; Class of 2014

We greatly appreciate the support of our 2014 Southwest Virginia Session Sponsors: Alpha Natural Resources and The Virginia Tobacco Commission. We would also like to recognize the University of Virginia's College at Wise for their contribution to our 2014 Southwest Virginia session.