I’m unable to attend the International Route 66 Festival in Joplin, Mo., this year because of an employment change.
However, Emily Priddy (aka Redforkhippie) has been live-tweeting from today’s Route 66 Summit in Joplin.
Here are some of the newsy bits from it, including the announcement of the festival’s host city for 2014:
Michael Wallis: It's official: Next year's international #Route66 festival will be in Kingman, AZ, weekend of Aug. 16.
— I'm Tryin', Ringo (@aginggleefully) August 2, 2013
Oglesby: Photo ops are drawing people. "It's wonderful, & it creates a synergy, & more & more things come." #Route66
— I'm Tryin', Ringo (@aginggleefully) August 2, 2013
Oglesby: "The best way to historically save something is make it economically viable." #Route66
— I'm Tryin', Ringo (@aginggleefully) August 2, 2013
Place: Tourism revenue translates to tax relief for individual citizens. #Route66
— I'm Tryin', Ringo (@aginggleefully) August 2, 2013
Wallis: Missing out on marketing to Hispanics & marketing their culture to travelers. Involve them in #Route66 associations.
— I'm Tryin', Ringo (@aginggleefully) August 2, 2013
Wallis: "We still see blatant racism with 'American Owned.'" #Route66
— I'm Tryin', Ringo (@aginggleefully) August 2, 2013
Wallis: Tell the truth about history of #Route66. Don't just sugar-coat for nostalgia. People want the real history.
— I'm Tryin', Ringo (@aginggleefully) August 2, 2013
Freeland: Market whatever is special: famous people, places, history, biggest, smallest, paranormal, photo op, etc.
— I'm Tryin', Ringo (@aginggleefully) August 2, 2013
Freeland: "If you've got it, flaunt it." Bring in tourists with unusual attractions on #Route66.
— I'm Tryin', Ringo (@aginggleefully) August 2, 2013
Kaisa: People are looking for authentic interactions w/people in community. They want to hear your stories. #Route66
— I'm Tryin', Ringo (@aginggleefully) August 2, 2013
Wallis: Support for int'l travelers was noted as a weakness in #Route66 economic impact study.
— I'm Tryin', Ringo (@aginggleefully) August 2, 2013
Michael: Number of Chinese, Brazilian travelers increasing. #Route66
— I'm Tryin', Ringo (@aginggleefully) August 2, 2013
Michael Wallis: 60% of adults buy gifts for their pets, spending $17 on average. 19% travel w/pets. Opportunity to market #Route66.
— I'm Tryin', Ringo (@aginggleefully) August 2, 2013
Rick Freeland: Aging #Route66 travelers. Need to change demographic, cater to younger travelers.
— I'm Tryin', Ringo (@aginggleefully) August 2, 2013
Kaisa Barthuli: Rutgers study shows # of Am. Indian & Hispanic residents of #Route66 corridor is 2x U.S. avg.
— I'm Tryin', Ringo (@aginggleefully) August 2, 2013
UPDATE: The Joplin Globe published its own summary of the Route 66 Summit.
Sounds like Em is having a good time. Sorry you were unable to go this time.
I agree with what Wallis is saying. The Route is a part of American history, not just a business opportunity and not the personal preserve of one group of people. All sorts of people used the route, for all kinds of reasons. The 50’s retro crowd who seem to have morphed into the 66 experience are just part of the puzzle. International tourism has shown the route has appeal along the lines of the wild west and open spaces many foreigners insist is what the US is all about. I hope if this meeting has any clout that efforts are made to increase the exposure of the route, and to put those folks with the ‘American Owned’ signs on their hotels on notice.