by Jonathan Weaver
Armstrong County tourism leaders are working with other tourist bureau’s in the region for a regional conference at the beginning of March.
To be held Friday, March 4 at The Atrium along Route 422 in Prospect (Butler County), the conference will focus on homeland security from 9AM until noon and human resources from 1-3PM.
“We think it’ll be very beneficial for our members- it’s open to any business in Armstrong County or organization,” Tourism Director Kevin Andrews said.
Andrews said this is the third year of doing these joint effort regional seminars and they are a great way for our local partners to learn about topics they may not have had a chance to otherwise.
Homeland Security will be presented by Bob Winters, and Human Resources presented by Dr. Eugene Gatty.
Bob Winters has been a Protective Security Advisor for the Pittsburgh District of the United States Department of Homeland Security since 2005.
Winters – a retired U.S. Air Force Major after a 23-year security and training career - was born and raised in Pittsburgh and has Bachelor’s and Master’s degree, and was also a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
“It’s all about keeping our community safe because we want to welcome everybody in. As a tourism bureau, we want everybody to come here, but we want everybody to be safe,” Andrews said. “If we can help the businesses look for those things, I think it would be great.”
Dr. Gene Gatty, a consultant for more than 20 years, co-owns a business consulting and mentoring firm with his wife, Dr. Ann Gatty – appropriately called Drs. Gatty, LLC.
The professionals live in Butler and have three dogs – two Great Danes and a Bassett Hound.
Dr. Gene took his Bachelors and Masters Degrees from Slippery Rock University and his Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh.
“I’m not sure what all he’ll be talking about, but I know that it’ll be about things you deal with everyday in business, but you might not know as a business owner how to deal with a certain situation,” Andrews said.
The Cost for the conference and lunch is $15/person. Reservations can be made by contacting the tourist bureau before Wednesday.