Enhancing Tourism’s Economic Impact and Empowering Business Stakeholders in Yuma County
Primary Topic:
Community & Economic Development
Other Topics:
Community & Economic Development
Lead Mentor:
Alice Dong
Eastern Regional Specialist, Vibrant Communities and Thriving Economies
Internship Overview:
The internship opportunity has been crafted as a “next step” in support the Colorado Tourism office has been providing to the region over the past year. The internship will help to enhance tourism’s economic impact and empower business stakeholders by strengthening capabilities of the Yuma County Economic Development and Agritourism projects.
Goals, Scope and Objectives:
The following are three learning objectives and deliverables expected during summer 2024. By the end of internship program, the intern will have:
• Summarized the technical assistance provided to business stakeholders in their efforts to promote agritourism.
• Mapped the entire process involved in planning, collaborating, marketing, implementing, and evaluating a community engagement project, such as a farmer’s market in Yuma County.
• Completed a comprehensive business checklist, which can be widely distributed to business owners, aiding them in enhancing their offerings to customers.
• Summarized the technical assistance provided to business stakeholders in their efforts to promote agritourism.
• Mapped the entire process involved in planning, collaborating, marketing, implementing, and evaluating a community engagement project, such as a farmer’s market in Yuma County.
• Completed a comprehensive business checklist, which can be widely distributed to business owners, aiding them in enhancing their offerings to customers.
With which stakeholder group(s) will the intern work?
CSU Extension, Board of Yuma County Economic Development Corporation, Local Tourism Board, and business stakeholders in Yuma County.
What student learning outcomes do you anticipate and what are the opportunities for professional development?
This internship opportunity offers practical experience with a potential for professional development in project management, technical expertise, business marketing, and more. It also provides an opportunity to apply these skills in real-world scenarios, which can be highly beneficial for the intern’s future career endeavors.
• Project Management Skills: The intern is expected to acquire the ability to make a poster and a presentation of the entire process of a community engagement project. This experience will enhance project management skills, including strategic planning, teamwork, marketing, and project evaluation.
• Community Engagement and Collaboration: Engaging in a community project like a farmer’s market will foster collaboration and engagement skills, which can be beneficial in various professional settings that require teamwork and community involvement.
• Technical Expertise in Agritourism Marketing and Communication: The intern will develop a strong understanding of the technical assistance needed by business stakeholders in their efforts to promote agritourism. This knowledge will make the intern more proficient in advising and supporting businesses in agritourism.
• Business Assessment and Improvement: The intern’s ability to create a comprehensive business checklist to aid business owners in enhancing their offerings will reflect their proficiency gained in business assessment and improvement. This skill can be valuable in various settings, particularly in the fields of business consulting and entrepreneurship.
• Professional Development Opportunities: During the internship, the intern will have opportunities for networking with professionals in economic development and agritourism. This networking can lead to valuable connections, potential job opportunities, and insights into the industries.
• Project Management Skills: The intern is expected to acquire the ability to make a poster and a presentation of the entire process of a community engagement project. This experience will enhance project management skills, including strategic planning, teamwork, marketing, and project evaluation.
• Community Engagement and Collaboration: Engaging in a community project like a farmer’s market will foster collaboration and engagement skills, which can be beneficial in various professional settings that require teamwork and community involvement.
• Technical Expertise in Agritourism Marketing and Communication: The intern will develop a strong understanding of the technical assistance needed by business stakeholders in their efforts to promote agritourism. This knowledge will make the intern more proficient in advising and supporting businesses in agritourism.
• Business Assessment and Improvement: The intern’s ability to create a comprehensive business checklist to aid business owners in enhancing their offerings will reflect their proficiency gained in business assessment and improvement. This skill can be valuable in various settings, particularly in the fields of business consulting and entrepreneurship.
• Professional Development Opportunities: During the internship, the intern will have opportunities for networking with professionals in economic development and agritourism. This networking can lead to valuable connections, potential job opportunities, and insights into the industries.
