To the editor:

The Brown County Convention and Visitors Bureau would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for joining us during our soft opening of the new Visitors Center on Feb. 6. It really means a lot to us that our community and industry partners are so supportive of our endeavors and are happy to share in our excitement for the new center.

Not only were we surprised to see such a large turnout at our open house, but we also were thrilled by all your positive feedback and blessings. While we designed our new space to provide the best possible experience for our visitors, we also tried to capture the true essence of Brown County, along with all the wonderful aspects, attractions and people that make it so special, including you. We really appreciate that you took time out of your day to attend our event.

The Brown County CVB also would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved with the planning, designing and construction of the new Visitors Center. Without the talented local craftsmen and artists who helped with this project, the beautiful new space that we call “home” would not have been possible. We are beyond grateful for all the hands who made it happen.

A huge thank-you to the following people for all the time, energy and effort put forth on the new Visitors Center:

The Brown County Tourism Commission and CVB board of directors; Bruce Gould, Kevin Ault and Mike Patrick, who served on the visitors center review committee; the Brown County Council; the town of Nashville for your help with permitting; Jenny Johnson for not only leasing us the space but also for sharing in our vision; architect Michael Chamblee; Bob Blass of oornj, with the help of Ed Illig, for interior and exterior designs; general contractor John Nelson with Heartland Construction; Rob Besosa with Hoosier Barn & Table, who created our eye-catching media room door and retail box and cart display; Darrin Kean, who repurposed our old conference room table into a beautiful front counter, including metal paneling; Brad Cox with Cox Creek Mill for our decorative metal brochure rack and merchandise arms; Dennis Parman for our unique media room light fixture; the 360 Group for our colorful wall graphics and illustrative town and county maps; Lyn and Leo Miller of Vision Ventures for the promotional Brown County video; Phil Tournee of Tournee Inc. for the construction time-lapse video; The Beamery for our grand porch entrance; Mike Becraft for the outdoor stone work; Justin Mollo with Dynamic Concrete for our sidewalks, Star Electric; Dunham Plumbing Co.; and Cornwell Communications.

We also have plans under way for a big grand opening event sometime during the week of May 6 to 12. Not only is it Visit Indiana Week, which is part of National Travel and Tourism Week, it also kicks off the spring/summer travel season. Visit browncounty.com/partners to sign up to receive emails about our grand opening. Be sure to mark your calendars now and make plans to attend the event.

Thank you again for your support.

Jane Ellis, Brown County CVB executive director, on behalf of the Brown County Convention and Visitors Bureau

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