Heritage Tourism Conference Set for July 25-26

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A conference on heritage tourism in Emery County will be held on July 25-26 at Emery High School.
The theme for the conference is, “Finding a Future in the Past. The conference will explore, teach and implement heritage resources as tools for economic development. Heritage activities are ideal ways to celebrate what already exists in small rural communities. Heritage resources reflect the distinctiveness of our people and events. The conference will include five primary characteristics of heritage tourism: people orientation, authentic resources, connection to people and community, basis in historical fact, focus on protection and preservation, providing visitors with information, education and interpretation.
The conference will begin with registration from noon-2 p.m. Spence Kinard of the Utah Travel Council will make introductions and be the emcee for the afternoon. Speakers will include Wilson Martin, from the division of state history, he will discuss the heritage area program; Gina Stucki, Bim Oliver, Roger Roper, Carol Edison and Jeff Berke will all speak on heritage related topics. Participants will participate in events of the Emery County Fair. The conference will reconvene on July 26 at 9 a.m. when the keynote speaker will be Becky Anderson, organizer of the heritage group from North Carolina. Layne Miller will also discuss rock art resources and from 1-5 p.m. there will be an open discussion on the future of the San Rafael Western National Monument. Call Kathleen Truman at 381-2030 to register for this event.