KINGSPORT -- Four local business people attended the recent "Make Your Business A Destination" seminar held here, featuring Jon Schallert, president of the Colorado-based, The Schallert Group, Inc.

The event was co-sponsored by the Tennessee Economic and Community Development Agency; Tennessee Main Street Program; and the Business Enterprise Resource Office (BERO).

Schallert focused on the challenges of small retail businesses learning marketing strategies and techniques; winning more customers; increasing customer traffic and sales, and also making a business worth traveling to see.

His "Destination Business principals" and Destination boot camp has encouraged hundreds of businesses and communities to refocus and improve their marketing strategies.

James-Ben Stockton, of James-Ben Studio & Gallery Art Center said, "The seminar was dynamite. He is very informative, extremely dynamic and willing to give complete information about the business strategies he has spent 20-plus years developing."

Others attending were Ann Birdwell of Still Hollow Farm and The Farmer's Wife Gift Shop, at 3005 W. Allen's Bridge Road; Stacey Allen McGee, owner of Appalachian Ghost Walks and Tours in Unicoi; and Jann Mirkov, executive director of Main Street: Greeneville.

Mirkov said, "Area Tennessee retailers were very fortunate to be able hear Jon locally even if only for a brief one day seminar. There was just enough information in this high energy, no-nonsense seminar to wet the appetite of many who now want to attend his 'Destination boot camps' held in Colorado."

Mirkov added that Schallert offers what he calls a "Six and One" opportunity for communities to send six retailers and a facilitator to Colorado for training, including access to expert advertising and marketing people followed up with six months of support and an onsite visit to the participating retailers.

Mirkov said Main Street: Greeneville hopes to provide such an opportunity.

Anyone interested in more information may contact her at 423-639-7102 or via e-mail at mailto:director@mainstreetgreeneville.com or director@mainstreetgreeneville.com