Join us for an inspiring one-hour webinar exploring how tourism can be a positive force for local communities. Discover how the Smithsonian’s Cultural Vitality Program has partnered with communities in Armenia, Georgia, and Tunisia to develop tourism that honors cultural heritage and fosters thriving local economies.

In this session, you’ll learn about the Cultural Vitality Program and how you can purchase products from local artisans during the holiday season. Whether you’re a cultural heritage professional, a frequent traveler, or just curious, this event offers a glimpse into a transformative approach to tourism that benefits both visitors and communities alike.

Attendance is free. Registration is required.

How to Access

The program will be presented on Zoom. Make sure your software is updated before the presentation begins. To access the Zoom session, you must first register on Eventbrite, then return to the Eventbrite page and click "Access link" under Location. The Zoom link will also be provided in your confirmation email.

When you register, you will be given the option to request accessibility services such as live captioning and American Sign Language interpretation.

Speakers

Halle Butvin, Director of Special Projects
Halle Butvin joined the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage as director of special projects in 2016, following three years as an advisor at the Smithsonian’s Office of Global Affairs. She is responsible for expanding the reach of the Cultural Vitality Program around the world, designing collaborative projects to support communities, safeguard their heritage, promote cultural expression, and elevate cultural practices to improve local economies. Prior to joining the Smithsonian, she spent ten years designing and implementing impact-driven international development programs in East Africa and Asia, ranging from democracy and governance to biodiversity conservation and economic growth. She holds a master’s degree in city and regional planning from The Ohio State University.

Joe Kapp, Advisory Council Chair
Joe Kapp is the president and cofounder of the National Center for Resource Development, a national nonprofit that helps foundations, nonprofits, higher education, and other institutions achieve greater impact by developing resources to execute their missions more effectively. Through his work, he has helped numerous organizations grow from small entities that are merely surviving to multi-million-dollar organizations that are thriving. Kapp started and sold his first business in college and has over ten years of experience working in the technology industry. He has also written extensively on resource development, entrepreneurship, and financial planning for a host of national media outlets. He holds a master’s degree in government administration from the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Florida State University.

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