Moundsville In The Spotlight During Hospitality University Conference

MOUNDSVILLE - The city of Moundsville was in the spotlight during the annual Hospitality University Conference hosted recently at the Greenbrier Hotel in White Sulphur Springs.

Moundsville City Manager Rick Healy was invited to be on a panel of speakers during the conference, hosted by the West Virginia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus and the West Virginia Hospitality Travel Association.

Healy said being on the panel was a worthwhile trip.

"I was on a panel titled 'Turning Communities into Destinations: A West Virginia Municipal Perspective.' I was asked questions about how do we take the deep history of Moundsville and make it appealing to a large audience for tourism," he said. "I discussed the Arts & Culture Commission, and how we now have vibrant music events, like Jefferson Fridays, that appeal to all ages, but specifically bring younger people to the city. I also discussed the partnerships that have been formed to make events successful."

Healy said he also enjoyed learning what other cities do to attract tourists and potentially new residents.

"Listening to other perspectives and stories is always good. I learned about other events that cities have, and what makes them special," he said.

"I was invited by Charleston Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin to be the only city manager on the panel. I was honored to be included, along with Fayetteville Mayor Sharon Cruikshank and Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco. ... I was the only Northern Panhandle representative on the panels. Other convention and visitors bureau members from the panhandle did attend."

Healy said he and the other mayors also talked about improving the quality of life for their residents.

"I think that more than anything is what we, as the city, can do. Better parks, better events, more family activities - all things that make the community better," he said. "People come for an event, and realize what we have to offer - maybe they will come back to shop, visit, or even move here."

Moundsville's famous attractions include the Grave Creek Mound itself, which is connected to the Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex; the former West Virginia Penitentiary, which offers tours, haunted tours, a haunted house at Halloween and hosts events throughout the year; Grand Vue Park, which is located just outside the city limits in Marshall County; and the Palace of Gold, also in Marshall County.

During the past several years, city leaders have worked to improve recreational offerings in the city by upgrading playgrounds, adding an outdoor fitness area, adding a splash pad to the Four Seasons Pool, adding a dog park and more.

Two new hotels have also opened during the past few years, a Sleep Inn & Suites and a Holiday Inn Express & Suites. Grand Vue Park also opened an RV park to accommodate its visitors and is planning to build additional cabins, too.