04/11/2014
Tourism Advisory Board Member Profile: Jodi Burroughs
By: MELISSA MACKEY, Grove City Life
Tourism Advisory Board Member Profile: Jodi Burroughs
By: Melissa Mackey
Jodi Burroughs is owner of Hocking Hills canopy Tours in Rockbridge, Wild Zipline Safari at The Wilds in Cumberland.
Q: Tell readers a little about your education.
JB: Born and raised in Defiance, Ohio, I moved to Columbus to continue my higher education in Engineering, I received my Bachelor’s degree at DeVry and continued my studies at the Ohio State University, focusing on business management.
Q: What did you do after graduating college?
JB: Weighing my various job opportunities after graduation, I decided to stay put in Columbus and start my engineering career with a local company, Columbustion Engineer/Asea Brown Broveri, where I designed and installed control systems for pulp and paper companies around the world. In the earlier 90’s, the world was supposedly moving more towards “less paper” in our lives, so I moved into the information technology world, with a focus the on sales marketing of products, from computers to electronics components, that made the world go round. Then in 2007, wanting to add a little more adventure to my career palate, a group of us decided to venture into the outdoor recreational world when Ohio’s first world-class zipline canopy tours was born.
Q: Tell readers about your business.
JB: Opened on April 1, 2008, Hocking Hills Canopy Tours became the first world-class zipline canopy tour in the entire Midwest. Our attraction was received with much fan fare and voted Ohio’s Best New Attraction in 2008 by “Ohio Magazine.” Since opening, we have continued to expand, adding new adventures onsite and within other regions of Ohio to appeal to a larger range of visitors looking for additional new experiences in outdoor recreation and nature tourism market. In 2011, we partnered with The Columbus Zoo, where we built and operate Wild Zipline Safari at The Wilds in Cumberland, Ohio. This very unique location is a must for Ohio residents and out-of-state visitors.
Our mission is “To encourage and inspire our participants to step away from everyday life and discover a unique and exhilarating experience. At the same time instill a sense of responsibility to preserve and protect our natural environment. Hocking Hills Canopy Tours is committed to maintaining a state-of-the-art zip line canopy tour, with an emphasis on safety first. To this end, we invest in, practice, and comply with safety standards in our industry.”
Q: How did you get involved in the tourism industry?
JB: Hocking Hills Canopy Tours and Wild Zipline Safari are both well known and respected tourist attractions in the State of Ohio. As we continued to market and brand ourselves throughout Ohio and the region, I had the opportunity to meet the many wonderful tourism professionals that work so hard to make Ohio a great place to live, visit and have fun in. Their level of commitment and support was so contagious that I has become more involved. I continued to network and joined many local and regional associations committed to supporting the local and state tourism market. I currently sit on the executive board of the Ohio Travel Association and the TourismOhio Advisory Board. I also chair the zip line sub-committee at the Department of Agriculture Amusement Ride Safety Council.
Q: What does the Tourism Advisory Board do?
JB: The Board is charged with advising the director of the Ohio Development Services Agency and the Office of TourismOhio director on marketing strategies for promoting Ohio’s numerous travel destinations and experiences. This role is especially important as Ohio implements the new pilot funding model that provides up to $10 million per year from the sales revenue generated by the industry itself to promote tourism activities.
Q: How does one become appointed to the Tourism Board?
JB: Ohio law requires the board members to represent various segments of the tourism industry here in Ohio. Recommendations are asked for from the various tourism supporting associations (Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association, Ohio Travel Association, Ohio Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus) and other industry professionals.
Q: When does the board meet?
JB: The first meeting of the TourismOhio Advisory Board was Thursday, Dec. 19 2013. The plan is to meet monthly. The public is welcome to attend all meetings.
Q: How long is your appointment on the board?
JB: My current appointment is through Sept. 27, 2014 with recommendation for reappointment since there was an administrative delay in appointing the entire board. Most appointments are for two to three years.
Reprinted with permission form Melissa Mackey, Grove City Life Magazine