““Her keynote was just the dose of inspiration we needed.”
”
Find your sense of place narratives
Erica’s keynotes are an unforgettable journey across the American landscape through story, song, humor and conversation. More than a talk, or PowerPoint presentation, her programs are an interactive experience that helps to explore the meaning of place, history, nature and culture in our lives and our communities.
Attendees leave recharged and bring home fresh ideas they can apply in their life, their work and their community.
““Great way to energize the whole community.””
Sense of Place, Story and Tourism
Create inclusive narratives that take people on a meaningful journey. This keynote includes story, song and conversation. Participants walk away with a deeper personal sense of place and fresh ideas to bring to their work connecting people and place.
How can we create more meaningful visitor experiences?
How can we boost tourism, and retain what makes a place special and unique?
How can we connect diverse visitors to the multiple layers of time and story a place holds?
How can we create a lasting impact so people and places can thrive?
The travel industry has started to embrace the fact that people are more searching for meaningful experiences that go beyond the “bucket list selfie.” This shift will place their destination in a larger, meaningful context. This is about making a shift from Destination Marketing to what I call Journey Marketing (TM). Learn how to place your destinations into a larger contextual narrative, where people can see themselves in your stories, and enrich their sense of place and self.
Rethink ways to connect people and places.
Uncover personal stories and memories.
Link your destination to the larger journey.
Recharge passion for the work you do.
Sense of Place, Story and Stewarship
Erica shares her own stewardship journey as well as examples from in- the- field- experience, including staff training at over 40 National Parks as well as working with visitors and communities across the country.
Through story, case studies, song, and conversation attendees will find their own stories. They’ll take away ideas to help inspire connections and caring that lead to authentic engagement in stewardship for all kinds of places.
Sense of Place and Story Breakouts and Seminars
Create An Action Plan for Meaningful Visitor Engagement 60- 120 minutes to full-day seminars.
Erica’s Sense of Place and Story Framework will help you capture ideas about your place stories, and create a fresh, inclusive narrative. Includes presentations, large group conversation, and working with small peer groups for feedback and support as you craft your ideas into action.
Gain a powerful framework for uncovering sense of place stories.
Create inclusive sense of place narratives that link specific sites and stories to a wider context.
Develop your story plan, working with peers to craft fresh ideas you can bring back to your community.
Leave with a fresh perspective, a recharge, and plan of action.
About Erica
Erica Wheeler is a visitor experience specialist, speaker, educator and award-winning songwriter based in western Massachusetts.
She has keynoted for the Wisconsin Governor’s Conference on Tourism, the National Association of State Park Directors Conference and more.
Over the past five years Erica has also worked extensively with the National Park Service, providing her signature interpretive skills training at over 40 NPS sites, from Yosemite National Park to Independence Hall.
Erica has also worked with other cultural and natural heritage sites across the country, including state parks and museums.
Erica has six CD’s to her credit and her music has charted in the top-ten on Billboard’s Gavin Americana chart. Her most recent CD “Good Summer Rain” was sponsored in part by the Trust for Public Land.
Prior Keynotes Include:
2019
Arkansas Governor's Conference on Tourism
New Mexico Governor's Conference on Tourism
2018
Association of National Park Rangers Rendezvous
National Association for Interpretation Region 2
2017
Wisconsin Governor's Conference on Tourism
Festival of the Cranes, Wheeler Wildlife Refuge
2016
BioBliz, National Geographic, National Mall, Washington, DC
NPS Centennial Founders Day, National Mall, Washington, DC
Parks Ontario Spring Training, Canada
2014
National Association of State Park Directors Conference, Omaha, NE
National Association of State Park Volunteer Coordinators, Lawrence, KS
Social Venture Network, Greenwich, CT (Keynote concert)
2013
TEDx,Shelburne Falls, MA (2013)
2011
Partners in the Parks Celebration, Howard County Parks and Recreation, Belmont, MD
Maryland Land Trust Alliance Conservation Conference, Towson, MD (Keynote & seminar)
American Horticultural Society Youth and Garden Symposium
Arkansas State Parks Spring Training
Idaho State Parks and Recreation Conference
Montana State Parks and Recreation Conference