Route 66 Symposium Promotes Tourism and Economic Development Opportunities
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MORENO VALLEY, Calif. - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), California Desert District, in partnership with the California Historic Route 66 Association, will conduct the first High Desert Route 66 Economic Development Symposium on May 18, 2016 at the Ramada Inn, located on Historic Route 66 in Barstow.
Guest speakers from across the United States will share their success stories and experiences with Route 66 communities who have developed grass-roots revitalization projects. Experts will comment on marketing and tourism strategies as well as ideas and resources to protect, preserve and promote resources along Route 66 through variety of sources relative to grant funding.
Scheduled speakers include:
- Bob Russell, Mayor, City of Barstow
- Ellie Alexander, Tourism Director, City of Barstow
- Deborah Pogue, New Mexico motel owner and founder of a 3-city economic development group
- Monique Carter, Tourism Specialist, San Bernardino County Economic Development Agency
- David Knudson, Executive Director, National Historic Route 66 Federation
- Shawn Fechter, Vice President, EagleRider Motorcycle Tours
- Allen Glander, tour development director and marketing specialist
- Kaisa Barthuli, Director, National Park Service Route 66 Preservation Program
- Jim Klein, Lardner-Klein Landscape Architects
Information regarding registration, lodging, and symposium topics can be found at www.route66CA.org. For more information about the symposium, contact Sharon Foster at (760) 885-9369, sharonfosterav@gmail.com, or Sheila Beekman-Compton at (831) 247-0673, beekcomp@yahoo.com.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.