JACKSONVILLE, Texas

–– On March 17, 2011, the Texas Forest Trail Region, in partnership

with the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, Lon Morris College, and Sadler’s

at the Landmark, will host a heritage tourism workshop titled “Social

Media Savvy.” The workshop will be held at Sadler’s at the Landmark

with a board of directors meeting to follow.  For the workshop

session, social media expert panelists will discuss not just how to

use social media, but how to be effective, savvy, and target the groups

you want to reach. “Most communities and small organizations could

benefit from using social media to spread word about their events and

mission in this time of ever-increasing budget and staff shortages,”

says Barbara Parmley, Texas Forest Trail Region board president and

Interpretation Specialist for Texas Parks and Wildlife Region 8 State

Parks.

      Following

the education session and lunch prepared by Sadler’s Kitchen, the

Texas Forest Trail Region board of directors will hold their bi-monthly

business meeting. All interested parties are encouraged to attend the

optional board meeting and learn more about the activities throughout

the heritage region.

      Cost

to attend the workshop is $15 and includes lunch. Online registration

and additional information about the workshop can be found at www.TexasForestTrail.com/workshops.

       

“Social Media Savvy” is part of a quarterly series of lunch and

learn workshops offered by the Texas Forest Trail Region that are open

to the public and geared especially towards tourism and economic development

professionals, historic and outdoor recreation site managers, and community-based,

non-profit organizations.

      The

Texas Forest Trail Region is a regional tourism initiative developed

by the Texas Historical Commission that fosters regional economic development

by promoting heritage tourism through the preservation of cultural and

historic resources and regional partnerships. The Texas Forest Trail

Region encompasses 35 counties in East Texas including Anderson, Angelina,

Bowie, Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Franklin, Gregg, Hardin, Harrison, Henderson,

Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Marion, Montgomery, Morris, Nacogdoches,

Newton, Orange, Panola, Polk, Red River, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine,

San Jacinto, Shelby, Smith, Titus, Trinity, Tyler, Upshur, Walker and

Wood.

      For

more information, contact Texas Forest Trail Region Executive Director

Mary Turner at 936/560-3699 and info@texasforesttrail.com, or visit www.texasforesttrail.com .