BECOME A TRAIL SITE

Visitors to the `Round the Mountain website will easily experience the diversity of the region's craft culture through interactive features of the `Round the Mountain Regional Artisan Trail Network. This network of driving trails connects visitors to artisan studios, galleries, agritourism businesses and creative points of interest throughout southwest Virginia. Build a connected audience and come face to face with visitors to our region by becoming a Regional Artisan Trail site on the `Round the Mountain Regional Artisan Trail.

Benefit Summary

• Listed as a Regional Trail Site in the on-line `Round the Mountain Trail directory;
• Inclusion in innovative mapping feature allowing visitors to find their way to your door;
• Free, reflective, metal `Round the Mountain trail sign;
• Numerous direct links to your `Round the Mountain profile page;
• Visibility through Heartwood: Southwest Virginia's Artisan Gateway;
• External marketing opportunities;
• Eligible to participate in local "community loop" trail projects;
• Eligible for placement on a "community loop" web based trail map of Southwest Virginia;
• Eligible for listing in "community loop" brochure;
• Eligible for web based video footage;

Trail Directory

Possibly the most direct way to locate you, the trail directory allows visitors to move quickly through the alphabetical listings of trail sites across the region. Maybe they saw your work at a venue, read about your award winning wine in a newspaper article, or heard about your fabulous studio from a friend, this method of discovery enables visitors to easily search for and learn about their favorite sites.

Mapping Feature

Highlighting the finest artisans, craft venues and agritourism businesses in southwest Virginia, the mapping feature sets visitors on a trail to discover our rich and vibrant culture and some of Virginia's most beautiful landscapes. Visitors can map their own artisan trail that pinpoints studios, galleries, farms and more to discover works of exceptional craftsmanship and timeless appeal.

Trail Sign

To make it easy for visitors to find you, the reflective, metal, `Round the Mountain sign measures 7"X18" and is available in a one or two sided design. Identify yourself as a `Round the Mountain Regional Artisan Trail Site and be associated with the `Round the Mountain brand known for authenticity and quality workmanship.

Profile Page

Membership in `Round the Mountain provides each member a detailed, online profile page created and maintained by individual members. Utilize your profile page to its fullest by becoming a Regional Artisan Trail Site with direct links from the Trail Directory and the Trail Search Tool.

Heartwood

Bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to your virtual door through the interactive mapping features, video streams and displays to be on hand at Heartwood: Southwest Virginia's Artisan Gateway. Partnering with 'Round the Mountain, and serving as a "trail head" for visitors into the region, Heartwood will utilize the efforts of the Regional Artisan Trail Network luring visitors off of the interstate to explore the mountains and valleys of the region and to experience each community and their culture.

Community Loops

`Round the Mountain is working closely with communities to develop their own unique loops that will tie into the Regional Artisan Trail Network and be linked with Heartwood: Southwest Virginia's Artisan Gateway. A key component to the Regional Artisan Trail Network, community loops will provide `Round the Mountain Trail sites the opportunity to showcase themselves in their community settings and allow for additional marketing opportunities. Community loops are eligible for placement on the `Round the Mountain interactive map, eligible to receive matching grant funds for the development of their own trail brochures, use of the `Round the Mountain logo and a community profile page on the `Round the Mountain website.

Trail Criteria

Trail criteria has been developed to insure that the `Round the Mountain Regional Artisan Trail Network focuses on authenticity and quality and celebrates the cultural diversity and heritage of the region.

• The focus must be on authenticity and quality.
• The "trail" must celebrate the cultural diversity of the region and reflect positively on its heritage.
• All trail sites must provide interpretation of the artisan aspect through at least one of the following: exhibits, material, demonstrations, maps, brochures, video or another expressed written method with RTM approval.
• Locations must be easily accessible by 2-wheel drive vehicles (4-wheel drive only access areas do not qualify).
• All sites must be well marked with a business sign and an RTM sign that is visible from the main road. The cost of the RTM sign is included in the one-time start-up fee.
• All sites should specify and maintain regular business hours. Seasonal hours are acceptable. Businesses that are open to the public "by appointment only" or fewer than two days per week will be considered.
• All sites must be visitor friendly, clean, safe, provide adequate restrooms, directional signs and ample parking. For example: home businesses with pets must be conscientious about visitors' sensitivities; work areas where injury may occur should be made safe for visitors/observers by screening off area or providing safety goggles, etc.
• Site owners shall contact their insurance agent to ensure they are carrying adequate liability insurance.
• Site owners are responsible for taking steps to reduce or eliminate risk due to negligence.
• Home-based businesses should comply with all local zoning regulations, ordinances and licensing requirements.
• Craft shops, gift shops, and galleries must prioritize American-made crafts with an emphasis on craft from Southwest Virginia. Shops with a strong product line of imports or crafts made from kits will not qualify.
• Farms that provide a cultural heritage interpretative experience of the region may be included.
• Sites that sell agricultural and food products must prioritize locally grown or produced goods.
• Cultural/Historic sites should have a direct connection to artisan aspects and cultural heritage.
• Restaurants should meet four or more of the following:
  • Shows local art on the walls/display cases and/or uses handcrafted items as tableware.
  • Have interpretive materials that tell about the art/craft on premises and/or the history of the place.
  • Regularly has live music.
  • Features locally grown produce.
  • Offers a selection of Virginia indigenous food.
  • Serves Virginia heritage recipes.
  • Have offerings authentic to the establishment.
  • Is in an architecturally significant building.
  • Is popular with the locals.
  • Has a unique, authentic regional claim to fame and or family owned and operated business.
• Lodging - Bed & Breakfasts, Campsites, Cabins and Inns of cultural importance. Franchised hotels or motels are not included unless in extreme circumstances.
• All approved sites must update their business information on the RTM website on at least an annual basis.
• Business owners/managers of all approved sites are encouraged to participate in hospitality and other tourism related workshops offered in the region.
• All sites must be an RTM member. (RTM Member or Supporting Trail Member)
• All sites must be within the RTM region

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