Smoky Mountain Host Membership

Established in 1987, Smoky Mountain Host is a non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to supporting and promoting travel and tourism in the seven western-most counties of North Carolina. The Host encourages responsible development of the region's resources to increase tourism spending as an integral component of economic development. The organization has many partners, one of which is the NC Department of Transportation who joins us in providing excellent travel services to the public at the Smoky Mountain Visitor Center on US 441 which is gateway from Georgia into North Carolina.

MISSION
To increase visitation to the North Carolina Smoky Mountains
and assist in the development of the region's tourism economy.

MANTRA
Competitive Regional Tourism

CORE VALUES
Service
Integrity
Diversity
Excellence
Inclusiveness

ADVERTISING & PROMOTIONS
An experienced public relations & advertising partner, SMH has a track record of successful value-added co-op advertising and collateral campaigns. As part of our program you can partner with other tourism businesses in the region in well-designed ad campaigns in state, regional and national publications at a price you can afford. Your business will be listed on visitsmokies.org and in the Visitors Guide printed yearly. SMH also communicates regularly to over 80,000 qualified visitors through e-blasts of the Smoky Mountain Explorer newsletter featuring special events, festivals, etc.

ADVOCACY
A collective advocate for travel and tourism, SMH has been a persuasive voice speaking out for the people and natural resources of the region since 1987. SMH protects the viability of tourism businesses and channels private & public funding to the region. SMH monitors your interest on the regional, sate and federal level. SMH helped to form the Southeast Tourism Policy Council and is an active participant on the federal level when tourism issues arise.

RESEARCH
Smoky Mountain Host practices "research-based marketing" and continues to strive to improve the research component of the organization. We have spearheaded and secured funding for many regional initiatives over the years such as regional visitor profiles, visitor satisfaction studies and specific geographic projects such as the Nantahala Gorge Corridor Study in 2009.

YOUR FAIR SHARE
The following lists the appropriate amount of annual investment your company would contribute for membership in Smoky Mountain Host.

• $100- Small Non-Profits, Educational Institutions
• $200 - Small Lodging (under 30 rooms), restaurants (under 90 seats), campgrounds, fast food (per unit), professional firms, media, non-profit attractions, outfitters (admissions under 3,000)
• $300 -Medium Lodging (31-90 rooms), large restaurants (over 90 seats), museums (charging admissions) financial institutions, outfitters (admissions 3,000-5,000) large retail stores (1,000 sq. ft.)
• $400 - Outfitters (annual admissions 5-10,000)
• $500 - Utilities,outfitters (annual admissions 10-15,000)
• $600 - Shopping Centers & malls, large lodging (over 90 rooms), pubic golf courses
• $750 -Small resorts (under 250 acres) and universities
• $1,000 - Resorts (250-500 acres) convention centers, attractions (adm. under 20,000), small ski areas (adm. under 50,000)
• $1,500 - Attractions (admissions 20-30,000), ski areas (admissions over 50,000)
• $2,500 - Attractions (admissions 30-50,000), resorts (500-1,000 acres)
• $4,000 - Attractions with admissions over 50,000