Governor Rendell Selects Civic Tourism Expert to Address Destination Pa Conference

Governor Rendell Selects Civic Tourism Expert to Address Destination Pa
Conference

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G.
Rendell has selected Pennsylvania native and nationally recognized Civic
Tourism Expert Dan Shilling to deliver the keynote address at the Destination
Pa conference, May 4 - 6, in Gettysburg.

From 2004 through 2007 Shilling directed a federally funded project on
place-based tourism, which resulted in the book, Civic Tourism: The Poetry and
Politics of Place. He was a clear choice to lead such a project due to his
tenure as director of the Arizona Humanities Council. During his 14 years at
the post, the organization awarded $4 million to foster public appreciation of
the humanities.

"Dan Shilling is a perfect fit for this conference that we have created to
build connections between community leaders and tourism professionals who are
committed to spurring economic growth though tourism," Governor Rendell said.
"His vast experience in the field of civic tourism, and his Pennsylvania
roots, makes Dan the perfect choice to address how we can preserve our rich
cultural and heritage assets and create tourism experiences and jobs."

Shilling's project, Voices from Communities in Transition, examined how towns
in Arizona can use history and literature to preserve their identity. The
project received a national award for its creative approach to
community-building.

"As a native Pennsylvanian, I realize that the state's unique history,
heritage, and landscapes are among its greatest assets for tourism
development, and I look forward to returning home and participating in this
important forum," Shilling said.

"Shilling adds to a robust list of speakers that includes executives from
National Geographic, the Allegheny Trail Alliance and top-tier leaders from
our nation's largest hotel companies," Governor Rendell said. "We have created
a valuable opportunity for our community leaders to walk away from this
conference with a plan to revitalize the region they call home."

Shilling earned his undergraduate degree from Penn State University and his
master's degree from Shippensburg State College. After teaching high school
English at South Middleton School District in Boiling Springs, he departed for
Arizona in 1980 and earned a Ph.D. from Arizona State University. A former
Fellow at the Kettering Foundation, he has served on more than 40 boards and
commissions, including the Arizona Tourism Alliance, Federation of State
Humanities Councils, and Grand Canyon Association.

Destination Pa is being developed by the Team PA Foundation in association
with the Governor's Tourism Partnership, the Pennsylvania Tourism Office and
the Office of Community Affairs and Development at the state Department of
Community and Economic Development. For more information about the conference,
visit http://destinationpa.visitpa.com or call (866) 966-9801.

The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public
education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing
economic investment to support our communities and businesses.To find out more
about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter,
visit www.governor.state.pa.us.

CONTACT:
Chuck Ardo
717-783-1116

Michael Chapaloney
717-720-1301 (DCED)

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

Chuck Ardo of the Pennsylvania Governor's Office, +1-717-783-1116, or Michael
Chapaloney of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic
Development, +1-717-720-1301