The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce recently held a DeKalb County Tourism Roadmap Work Session, hosted by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development’s Rural Outreach Program.

State and regional leaders including Melanie Beauchamp, Assistant Commissioner of Rural Tourism and Outreach;  Jenni Veal, Rural Destination Development Manager; Ashley DeRossett, TDTD Middle Tennessee Division Manager, and Silas Stoddart, TDTD Rural Tourism Program Manager were among the ones who led the guided discussion with local tourism partners and county and city leaders regarding tourist development, marketing opportunities, as well as current needs in DeKalb County.

Approximately 40 people were in attendance. Chamber Director Suzanne Williams said, “We had a really good representation of locals who have an interest in DeKalb County’s growing tourism. We look forward to putting together a Tourism Team together as well as developing a new Tourism website.”