About Tourism Ready™ Southwest Virginia
Great Visitor experiences start with great people!
Four Hours. Stronger Teams. Better Visitor Experiences.
Your employees are the face of Southwest Virginia, and every visitor interaction is an opportunity to make a lasting impression.
Tourism Ready™ Southwest Virginia is a complimentary, interactive training program designed to help tourism businesses strengthen customer service, build employee confidence, and create exceptional visitor experiences.
Led by Friends of Southwest Virginia in partnership with Consult-1, this four-hour workshop gives your team practical tools to:
- Deliver exceptional hospitality through stronger customer service and visitor engagement.
- Build confidence in welcoming visitors and creating memorable experiences.
- Become regional ambassadors by sharing Southwest Virginia's attractions, communities, and unique experiences.
- Strengthen your business by investing in the employees who shape your visitors' experiences.
Whether you operate a restaurant, lodging property, attraction, retail business, or visitor center, this training is an opportunity to invest in your team while helping Southwest Virginia grow as a destination.
Space is limited! Register your team today and help us make every visitor experience count.
Welcome & Engage
Two workshop options at each location.
Morning Workshop
8:30am - 12:30pm
Check-In at 8:00am
Afternoon Workshop
1:30pm - 5:30pm
Check-In at 1:00pm
Welcome & Engage
What is Welcome & Engage?
Join Friends of Southwest Virginia and Craig Johnston of Consult-1 for a complimentary, four-hour Tourism Ready™ Southwest Virginia Welcome & Engage Workshop designed specifically for tourism-related frontline staff.
This interactive regional hospitality training will provide practical tools to strengthen customer service, hospitality excellence, visitor engagement, and knowledge of Southwest Virginia as a destination.
Who is this for?
Cost: Free
Welcome & Engage Workshop Locations
October 27, 2026
Profitt House Community Room
203 E Oxford St,
Floyd, VA 24091
October 28, 2026
Heartwood
Artisan Galleries & Visitor Center
1 Heartwood Circle,
Abingdon, VA 24210
October 29, 2026
High Knob Destination Center
1147 Laurel Ave SW,
Norton, VA 24273
Lead
Morning Workshop
8:30am - 12:30pm
Check-In at 8:00am
Lead Workshop
What is Lead?
Join Friends of Southwest Virginia and Craig Johnston of Consult-1 for a complimentary, four-hour Tourism Ready™ Southwest Virginia LEAD Workshop designed specifically for tourism-related managers, owners, and directors.
This interactive regional hospitality training will provide practical tools and strategies to strengthen customer service, visitor engagement, leadership, and hospitality excellence across Southwest Virginia.
Who is this for?
Cost: Free
October 30, 2026
Heartwood
Artisan Galleries & Visitor Center
1 Heartwood Circle,
Abingdon, VA 24210
Have Questions?
Interested in learning more about the curriculum or ways to get your team involved?
Reach out to Catherine Fox, Director of Regional Destination Development.
