The Destination Business Workshop is a fast-paced and fun FREE in-person, all-day workshop with Jon Schallert of The Schallert Group, the world’s foremost expert in teaching independent businesses how to reinvent themselves into consumer destinations. The 2024 Destination Marketing Training workshop series will lay the foundation of attracting customers that will be followed and supported the balance of the year by on-line action groups and Q&A sessions. In 2025, anadvanced series will, in addition to offering more in-depth information and support, highlight those businesses that have successfully put the training into action. Jon provides a roadmap, strategies, tools, and easily implementable ideas for your community so consumers will say, “I have to go to that place!”

In-Person

• A 14-step strategy of the basics of how to identify a business's unique good or service and turning the business into a destination.
• Personal, one-on-one meeting with Jon Schallert to discuss individual businesses.
• A basis to build on for Advanced Destination Marketing Workshops to be held in 2025.

After-workshop support will be available online.

These workshops are hosted by the NC Department of Commerce Main Street & Rural Planning Center. Funding was secured through a State Outdoor Recreation, Travel & Tourism Grant from the US Economic Development Administration to expand the NC Main to Main Trail website. The virtual trail leads visitors through North Carolina's designated Main Street communities, highlighting each town's best downtown and outdoor experiences, and provides links to the local Main Street program, VisitNC, and the local tourism websites. Learn more at MainToMainTrail.com.

The event will be held at The Main Event at 125 S Main Street in Hendersonville. Registration is free, and lunch will be provided by Mini Batch Bakery. To register, click here.