Burke tourism subject of next 'Coffee at the Museum'

Ed Phillips, CEO of the Burke Tourism Development Authority, will be the speaker at the next Coffee at the Museum, sponsored by the History Museum of Burke County.

The event is set to begin at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 29, at the Museum, at 201 W. Meeting St. in downtown Morganton. Free coffee and pastries will be served.

Phillips will be talking about the vital role tourism plays in the Burke County economy and how tourism has been impacted by Hurricane Helene and the damage done by the storm to local parks and recreation areas.

Phillips has spent the past 34 years in the tourism marketing field. He previously owned Granite Communications, a Destination Marketing Company that served tourism clients all across North Carolina.

He has served as president of the North Carolina Travel Industry Association, as a member of the N.C. Travel & Tourism Board, and he facilitated the transition from the Travel Council of North Carolina, which was formed in the 1960s.

Phillips is a graduate of Western Carolina University where his senior tourism marketing paper was titled, “Western North Carolina — It’s a Natural.”

Phillips brings a wealth of practical experience to the Burke T.D.A., including printing, publishing, photography, and creative travel writing. He has served as the C.E.O. of the Burke T.D.A. since 2010.