Climate, Weather and Tourism in North Carolina:
Issues and Opportunities

1:00 p.m.

Welcome by Dr. Patrick Long, Director, Center for Sustainable Tourism

1:10 p.m.

Importance and Potential of this Gathering

Congressman Walter B. Jones

Dr. Deirdre Mageean, Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies

1:30 p.m.

Trends in National and Regional Recreation and Tourism Behaviors

Dr. Ken Cordell, Pioneering Scientist and Project Leader, USDA Forest Service Research and Development

Introduction by Dr. Rick Niswander, Dean, College of Business

2:30 p.m.

Break

2:45 p.m.

Comments By:

Professor Scott Curtis, Atmospheric Scientist, ECU, Dr. Steve Rebach, Associate Director, North Carolina Sea Grant Program and Dr. John Rummel, Director, Intitute for Costal Science and Policy

Application of Climate Data to Tourism Business Decision-Making—An Interactive Session with Tourism Business Owners and Operators.

J. Neal Lott, Chief, Data Access Branch, National Climatic Data Center, NOAA

Introduction by Dr. Lorry King, Director, Coastal Resources Management Program

Tourism Business Owners and Operators Reactor Panel

Moderator, Jason Oliver, College of Business

1. Jeff Greiner, Vice President of Marketing, Wildwater, LTD. Asheville, NC
2. Bob Farren, Director of Grounds and Golf Course Management, Pinehurst Resort & County Club
3. Patricia McRitchie, Owner/Operator, McRitchie Winery and Cider Works
4. Tim Lampkin, Asheville Convention & Visitor Bureau
5. Carolyn McCormick, Executive Director, Outer Banks Tourism Authority
6. Donna Kain, Assistant Professor, Department of English (Technical and Profesional Discourse) and Natural Hazards Research Center

4:45 p.m.

Summary of the Afternoon and Preview of Tomorrow's Program

Dr. Patrick Long, Director, Center for Sustainable Tourism

5:00 p.m.

Social—Emerge Gallery in Uptown Greenville

Hosted by Mayor Pat Dunn and City Manager Wayne Bowers

6:30 p.m.

Dine with the Presenters

Make a reservation to have dinner with a presenter in Uptown Greenville. Refer to the program to make your selcetion, and indicate the presenter on the registartion form. 

8:30 a.m.

The "Footprint" of Tourism in the North Carolina Economy

Dr. Tom Allen, Associate Director, RENCI Engagement Center, East Carolina University

Introduction by Dr. Joe Fridgen, Recreation and Leisure Studies

8:45 a.m.

Climate and Tourism—Impacts and Adaptations

Dr. Daniel Scott, Chair, WMO Committee on Climate and Tourism, Canadian Research Chair in Global Change and Tourism, University of Waterloo, Canada

Introduction by Ryan Covington, Geography/Climate Graduate Student

9:45 a.m.

Climate and Weather Trends Impacting North Carolina's Tourism---Agency Responsibilities

Moderator, Carolyn McCormick, Executive Director, Outer Banks Tourism Authority

1. Dr. Ryan Boyles, Director, State Climate Office of North Carolina
2. Dr. Peter J. Robinson, Director, NOAA Southeast Regional Climate Center
3. Ms. Jessica Whitehead, Regional Climate Specialist, South Carolina/North Carolina Sea Grant Extension Program
4. Dr. Stan Riggs, ECU Distinguished Research Professor, Department of Geology

10:30 a.m.

Break

10:50 a.m.

Case Studies on Climate, Weather and Tourism

Bald Head Island, Dr. Suzanne Dorsey, Executive Director, Bald Head Island Conservancy

Grandfather Mountain, Luke Appling, Green Manager

Introductions, Dr. Jamie Kruse, Director, Natural Hazards Research Center

11:30 a.m.

Climate and Tourism Index

Drs. Scott Curtis and Jennifer Arrigo; Graduate Student Ryan Covington

12:00 p.m.

Working Lunch: Identification of Management and Research Questions (CMC students)

1:00 p.m.

Sector Perspectives on Climate, Weather and Tourism

Moderator, Dr. David Edgell, Hospitality Management Faculty and Scholar in Residence, CST

1. Dr. James Kleckley—Business and the Economy
2. Dr. Ron Mitchelson—Transportation
3. Dr. Nancy White—Stormwater Impacts on Recreational Water Use
4. Dr. Marian Swinker—Climate Change and the Range of Diseases and Invasive Species

2:00 p.m.

The Future of the Travel Industry in a Climate Changing World

Ken Erickson, Senior Director of Development, Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.

Introduction by Dr. Glen Gilbert, Dean, College of Human Performance

2:45 p.m.

Wrap-up and next steps

Dr. Eileen Shea, Chief, Climate Services Division, NOAA's National Climatic Data Center

Dr. Patrick Long, Director, Center for Sustainable Tourism