Sharing our feelings of gratitude during this season is even more important as we navigate the recovery ahead together.
We are grateful to the Town of Highlands, emergency personnel, and the army of utility crews and volunteers who have worked tirelessly to restore essential services to the Plateau.

The impact of Hurricane Helene was significant. Thankfully, The Bascom’s facilities weathered the storm without harm, and all our staff are safe. While we are deeply grateful for this, many communities were not as fortunate, and our hearts go out to our friends and neighbors as they navigate this challenging period of recovery.

In moments of hardship, we believe the arts can provide much-needed refuge—a space for healing, reflection, and connection. We invite everyone to find solace on our natural campus, reflect in our galleries, and find support and community in one of our many education classes or workshops.

We also extend our gratitude to the people and communities of the Plateau: our community outreach partners, exhibiting artists, students, faculty, and generous supporters for the many ways you help us realize our mission.

Most importantly, we thank you – our visitors and supporters. Your enthusiasm and engagement energize our campus, sustain our programs, and ensure that The Bascom remains a vital cultural resource for our community.

by Billy Love,
The Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts
photo byMax Renfro

The post Strength, Resilience, And Gratitude appeared first on Laurel Magazine.

 The Chamber has revamped, revitalized, and reinvented itself to energize not only its ranks but the community of Highlands and its residents as well. Even if you’re not a Chamber member, you will benefit from the initiatives the Chamber has on its horizon.

The Chamber’s new Director of Marketing and Communications, Carolyn Higgins, comments on the Chamber’s vision of things to come.

“We are networking with multiple destination marketing organizations around the state and country, as well as conducting secondary research through conferences, webinars and case studies to continually understand how we can best contribute the sustainable future of Highlands for our residents and visitors,” she says.

It’s that kind of research and exploration that will solidify Highlands’ place in the realm of destination play-cations. In doing so, visitors will support commerce, spread the word about our little slice of heaven, and impact our community in dozens of beneficial ways. And don’t worry. The goal is to keep Highlands a unique, pristine center of fun and hospitality, the qualities that have always made
it exceptional.

For membership queries, volunteer opportunities, or previews of the Chamber’s crowd-pleasing events calendar, contact Carolyn at (828) 526-2112 or
visit highlandschamber.org.

The post Highlands: A Destination Play-cation appeared first on Laurel Magazine.

The Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center sets strategies guaranteed to keep the local chamber on the leading edge of an ever-changing business climate.  Staying abreast of current marketing trends is the key.  

Members asked, “What are other thriving communities doing and how can we build on their success?”  The Chamber is finding out and putting that information to work for commerce and for you.

Long before brand became a popular term, Highlands businesses and residents already had a unique identity: down-home cordiality with an emphasis on
personalized service. 

Using that as a foundation, the Chamber is expanding use of social media to reach out to visitors, both new and returning.  It’s exploring novel ways to access the public through posts and re-posts, shares, input requests, and contests.  By keeping websites and Internet resources fresh and inviting, Highlands engages and invests an eager audience in its future, thus preserving its focus on geniality.

Internally, the Chamber is offering business owners ongoing services with updates on business trends, county/state/federal issues, and relevant media/publications. 

The Chamber is also educating the public about the benefits it provides.  For example, did you know that 40,000 people visit the Chamber annually? Those visitors are potential clients, residents, and even marketers, for the latter help spread the word about the natural beauty, style of living, dining and entertainment, and thriving businesses that make Highlands a prime destination.  

Next month we’ll explore what’s on the horizon for the Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center. For more information about joining the Chamber, volunteering, or other inquiries, call (828) 526-2112.

The post Reaching High appeared first on Laurel Magazine.