Cheryl Hargrove specializes in cultural and heritage tourism, marketing communications and strategic planning.  She has consulted with more than 50 national, regional, state and local organizations for cultural heritage tourism assessment, planning, development and/or marketing technical assistance.

Working with the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Denver, CO and Washington, D.C., Cheryl helped to market and manage a $2.1 million fee-for-service consulting program, creating products and services for destinations interested in developing and enhancing their tourism potential by focusing on historic and cultural assets.  In this capacity she also initiated research collection for heritage tourism and established heritage tourism standards and principles used throughout the United States and around the world.

During a one year contract with the National Geographic Society’s Center for Sustainable Destinations in Washington, D.C. from 2007-2008, Cheryl served as Associate Director and was responsible for developing collateral materials for the Society’s geotourism program and destination clients as well as assisting with international promotions and global partnerships.

Over the course of her career Cheryl has presented at more than 100 conferences and conventions including the National Tour Association, the 1998 Leadership Conference on Cultural Tourism, Yunnan Province, China, and the Museum Association of Canada.

Some of Cheryl’s former clients include American Express Company, Appalachian Regional Commission, National Endowment for the Arts, National Geographic Society, National Trust for Historic Preservation, HandMade in America, US-China Arts Exchange, Coca-Cola Company, and Randall Travel Marketing, as well as numerous cities, states and regions.

Cheryl has a B.A. in journalism, with a minor in marketing, from The Henry W. Grady School of Journalism in Athens, Georgia.