VisitMartinsville Welcomes Kelly Rowland to Their Team

The Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation's (EDC) Tourism & Film Division is pleased to welcome Kelly Rowland to their staff. She has been selected as the new Tourism Marketing & Client Relations Manager for VisitMartinsville.

Rowland is a Henry County native and brings to the EDC seventeen years of experience in customer service and management, as well as a strong social media skillset. Rowland says, “I am excited for the opportunity to promote tourism for Martinsville-Henry County. I am passionate about our area and all it has to offer." Her experience and passion align with the skills identified for her new role within the EDC. 

The Tourism Marketing & Client Relations Manager position was established to better align with goals created by a new Tourism Office strategic plan. The plan, created by Young Strategies, Inc., is set to roll out in the coming weeks. Rowland will work closely with Beth Stinnett, the Assistant Director of Tourism, to implement strategies to achieve identified goals while establishing strong working relationships with local tourism partners.

Tourism in Martinsville-Henry County is a growing industry, according to the Virginia Tourism Corporation. It currently has a $70 million economic impact on our community and supports 763 jobs. According to Stinnett, "We're continuing to see the positive impacts that tourism has on our community and our team is dedicated to continuing efforts to increase visitation to Martinsville – Henry County.” According to Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) there was a combined 4.9% increase in local tourism expenditures for Martinsville and Henry County in 2017. Stinnett added, "To continue this momentum as we grow and develop our tourism program, we need a solid team and we're thrilled to have Rowland’s talent and creativity on board."

To learn more about the Martinsville – Henry County Tourism Office, stop by the Martinsville-Henry County Visitor Center located inside the Baldwin Building at 191 Fayette Street in Martinsville. The Visitor Center is open Tuesday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Additional information on the area can also be found online at www.VisitMartinsville.com or by calling 276.632.8006.