Submitted photos
Sunflower festival grant > The Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) has awarded more than $2.7 million for 259 local and regional tourism marketing programs across the state to help increase visitation and revenue for Virginia’s localities through tourism. Beaver Dam Farm Sunflowers, LLC in Buchanan received a $20,000 grant for its September 2022 Sunflower Festival and Vendor Show. For the September 2022 festival new advertising dollars will be spent to pull in traffic from targeted areas outside of the local reach. Targeted ads and social media will reach Charlottesville, Richmond, Winchester, Fairfax and surrounding areas. “Botetourt County has long been known for its agriculture and now is also becoming a tourist destination. Beaver Dam Farm Sunflowers is a true example of agri-tourism at its best,” says Botetourt County Board of Supervisors Chair Dr. Richard Bailey.
Submitted photos
SML Business Expo at full strength > About 700 Smith Mountain Lake residents and visitors engaged with local business professionals representing 85 companies at the 18th Annual SML Business Expo last month at EastLake Community Church. Erin Stanley, Member Relations and Events Director for the SML Regional Chamber, which organizes the event, said it felt great to have the Expo back to full capacity and under more familiar conditions. “The Expo is always a popular event at Smith Mountain Lake, and we are so pleased that people felt comfortable coming out and engaging with a wide range of SML area businesses.” The Expo allowed exhibitors in diverse industries to share information on products and services, provide materials and network with other business professionals. Vendors also highlighted job openings and spoke to prospective applicants. “We definitely saw a lot of conversations happening between business owners and attendees,” Stanley said. “Strengthening the economic environment of our community is at the core of the Chamber’s mission.”
46
t JUNE 2022 / vbFRONT.com
