Bill Thomas represents Atlanta at World Monuments Fund event
Send a link to a friend
[December 02, 2013]
ATLANTA — Two central Illinois
communities, Atlanta and Pontiac, helped contribute to the goals of
a Route 66 strategic round table convened by the World Monuments
Fund on Nov. 20-21 at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, Calif. Bill
Thomas, treasurer of the Atlanta Betterment Fund, attended the event
along with Pontiac Mayor Bob Russell and Ellie Alexander, director
of tourism in Pontiac. They were among approximately 100 people
representing government, business, tourism and historic
preservation. |
Thomas presented on a panel dealing with "Making the Case: Economic
Impacts of Preservation and Heritage Tourism Along Rt. 66." Russell
presented during a panel discussion focused on "Community
Investment: Success Stories from the Road," and Alexander was part
of a panel presentation on "The Road More Traveled: Enhancing the
Tourism Potential of Route 66." Among the great challenges of
preserving the historic corridor of Route 66 are its length and its
diversity of stakeholders. Over the past several years, Pontiac and
Atlanta have addressed some of these challenges and effectively
demonstrated the ability to leverage the economic development
potential of Route 66. The Route 66 strategic meeting presented the
opportunity for these two central Illinois communities to share
their success stories and work with other "Mother Road" stakeholders
to discuss and devise new ways to effectively capitalize on the
economic benefits of and development opportunities along Route 66.
For more details regarding the Route 66 strategic round-table
event, see the World Monuments Fund news release below.
___
World Monuments Fund
convenes strategic round-table event to discuss heritage tourism and
preservation along historic Route 66
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Following the dramatic analysis and statistics
revealed through the Route 66 Economic Impact Study of 2012, the
World Monuments Fund convened a strategic round-table event to
explore the sustainability of the highway as a cultural and
recreational venue and an economic engine for the eight states the
route passes through. The event, titled "The Road Ahead," was on
Nov. 20 and 21 at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, Calif., close to
Cars Land, a Disney venture inspired by Route 66.
The event was organized by the World Monuments Fund with the
support of American Express and was arranged as a series of panel
discussions drawing more than 100 people representing government,
business, tourism and preservation.
Amir Eylon, vice president of partnership and development
services for Brand USA, a public-private organization established to
promote international travel to the United States, stated: "As the
destination marketing origination for the United States, Brand USA
has the opportunity to promote both our country's most recognizable
icons and the hidden gems, like Route 66. As visitors explore Route
66, they go beyond the gateways and connect along a unique set of
authentic experiences that they can only get here."
Route 66, also known as the Mother Road, runs from Chicago to
Santa Monica and is America's most celebrated automobile highway and
a famous symbol of 20th-century American culture and history. The
construction of the interstate highways in the middle of the 20th
century bypassed many communities along Route 66, and subsequently
numerous towns and cities along the route have faced economic
hardship. The plight of these communities was the basis for the 2006
Disney/Pixar film "Cars."
[to top of second column] |
Economic impact study
"The Road Ahead" event followed the publication of an economic
impact study completed in 2012 that shed light on the importance of
heritage tourism and historic preservation along Route 66 as a
contributor to local, state and national economies.
The study, undertaken by Rutgers, The State University of New
Jersey, in collaboration with the U.S. National Park Service Route
66 Corridor Preservation Program and the World Monuments Fund, with
the support of American Express, outlines the benefits of heritage
preservation for the communities.
Among the many noteworthy findings of the study are that tourists
spend $38 million per year in communities along Route 66;
preservation through revitalization programs and museums adds some
$94 million in annual investments; some 2,400 jobs are created each
year; and economic activities directly related to the route add some
$127 million annually to the GDP.
Tourism is often the most important or only economic engine for
many of the towns along the route, and Route 66-themed motels,
restaurants and shops anchor the downtowns of many small
communities. The preservation of the highway and the revitalization
of communities along it are thus inextricably linked. Developing new
opportunities for communities along the route through partnerships
and preservation activities is key to generating jobs and increasing
economic growth.
The strategic round-table event highlighted stories of
revitalization along the road and the broad international and
national interest in traveling Route 66. Capitalizing on these
successes and opportunities means effectively using historic
preservation as a tool for sustainable development, providing
positive economic, social and environmental benefits to the 5.5
million people who live along the Mother Road.
The iconic landscape and idiosyncratic architecture of Route 66 —
as well as those dedicated to its stewardship — provide a unique
backdrop for experiencing the most fundamental of American ideals:
freedom, individuality and opportunity.
As a once-thriving corridor of commerce and creativity, the
Mother Road's past serves as a strong foundation for a revitalized
future, marrying old and new to continue to tell the many stories of
America's main street.
[Text from file received from Bill
Thomas and news release from the World
Monuments Fund]
World Monuments Fund is the leading independent organization
devoted to saving the world's treasured places. For nearly 50 years,
working in 100 countries, its skilled experts have applied proven
and effective techniques to the preservation of important
architectural and cultural heritage sites around the globe. Through
partnerships with local communities, funders and governments, WMF
seeks to inspire an enduring commitment to stewardship for future
generations. Headquartered in New York City, the organization has
offices and affiliates worldwide. For more information, visit
www.wmf.org,
https://twitter.com/worldmonuments and
https://www.facebook.com/worldmonuments. |