Robinson Works To Masterfully Market Martinsville
For Debbie Robinson, every challenge is an opportunity, and she plans to apply that way of thinking in her role as the new director of tourism for the Martinsville Henry County Economic Development Corp.
“My background is in tourism, having most recently worked with the Blue Ridge Music Center/National Council for the Traditional Arts,” she says. “Ever since the furniture companies started eliminating jobs in Martinsville-Henry County because of globalization, this community has been looking for ways to stimulate the local economy. I have a few ideas that just might work.”
Robinson says Martinsville should continue to try capitalizing on its furniture heritage, and a furniture cluster outlet was actually established in September 2009 in Uptown Martinsville to attract regional, weekend and local shoppers. In addition, she says Martinsville needs to further market its existing attractions that include Martinsville Speedway, outdoor recreation venues, an abundant crafts industry and a historic cultural presence.
“For example, we have a Southern Virginia Artisans Center, the Piedmont Arts Association and the Virginia Museum of Natural History,” Robinson says. “Meanwhile, for outdoors enthusiasts there is the Smith River and Philpott Lake. And for NASCAR fans, there is nothing like Martinsville Speedway – which has been staging incredible racing action since the late 1940s.”
Robinson adds that the area is also surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains.
“I want to target specific tourism audiences, such as the leisure travelers, the cultural and heritage visitors, the regional weekenders, the value shoppers, school groups, Elderhostels, special interest groups and local residents,” Robinson says. “If everything we offer is properly packaged and marketed, Martinsville and Henry County will very much appeal to visitors and new residents.”
Story by Kevin Litwin
