Coaching the Development of a

Rural Tourism OrganizationCynthia Pilcher, Ed.D.Kay Tettleton, Ed.D.

LSU AgCenter

Start?

• Idea originated in Lake Providence, Nov. 2004

• LSU AgCenter CED agents

• Facilitated organization of a regional meeting, Jan. 2005

• The rest is history . . .

How?

• 300 community leaders and elected officials gathered in Tallulah over a period of 4 months

• Parishes chose Board members

• Met and organized for 7 months

• Katrina & Rita

Louisiana Delta 65, Inc.

• Officially formed December 2005

• Open House/membership drive

• Marketing

Community Coaching

• What is it?

• How does it work?

• Pros and cons

• Team coaching/co-coaching

• Role

Mission of LA Delta 65, Inc.

• Promote rural tourism along the U.S. Highway 65 corridor, an agricultural region

Implications

• Higher education

• Engaged universities

• Community & economic development

• Civic engagement

• Leadership development

• Policy advocacy

Role of Higher Education

LSU AgCenter

Customer Relations Skills

Leadership Development

Entrepreneurship

Community & Technical Colleges

Emerging curriculum needs

Increase enrollment

Contact

Dr. Cynthia Pilcher

LSU AgCenter

cpilcher@agcenter.lsu.edu

Dr. Kay Tettleton

LSU AgCenter

ktettleton@agcenter.lsu.edu