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Membership

Membership Has Its Benefits

There are many compelling reasons to join Smoky Mountain Host. Membership offers you the resources of an important partner and a “network” of your peers in the travel and tourism industry. Join us today and become a part of a team of professionals working to increase tourism to the North Carolina Smokies!

Advertising

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 co-op marketing program you can partner with other tourism businesses in the region in professional campaigns like the Social Media Hub, the Digital Magazine and the I’m Going Digital Events Calendar at a price you can afford. Your business will be listed on visitsmokies.org and in the Regional Adventure 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.

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 tourism industry interests on the regional, state and federal levels. 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.

The organization has worked in partnership with Dr. Steve Morse at Western Carolina University’s College of Business’s Hospitality and Tourism Program for regional, state and national tourism research data and trends.