RESEARCH, PROJECTS, AWARDS

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
-Confucius-

RESEARCH: Dr. Edgell’s unique educational background and experiences highly qualifies him for a leadership role in conducting tourism policy, planning, and research. Throughout his career he has worked with and been associated with many different groups engaged in conducting tourism programs. A few are mentioned below:

• United Nations World Tourism Organization
• World Travel and Tourism Council
• International Academy for the Study of Tourism
• Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA): World Cup
• Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
• Organization of American States: Inter-American Travel Congress
• Caribbean Tourism Organization
• International Institute of Tourism Studies: The George Washington University
• Executive Development Institute for Tourism, University of Hawaii at Manoa
• Tourism Research Laboratory, University of Illinois
• United States Travel and Tourism Administration
• Travel Industry Association of America
• Travel and Tourism Research Association
• Southeast Tourism Society
• East Carolina University: Department of Hospitality Management
• East Carolina University: Center for Sustainable Tourism
• University of Colorado: School of Business
• University of Missouri at Kansas City

  PROJECTS BEGINNING IN 2003:

  • 2008 The Toney Watkins Company: Destination and Convention Resort
  • 2008 Strategic Overview of Tourism Opportunities (5-county project)
  • 2008 Climate Change and Tourism: The…Outer Banks, North Carolina
  • 2008 Strategic Tourism Overview: Rowan County, Kentucky
  • 2008 Book: Tourism Policy and Planning: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
  • 2007 The Toney Watkins Company: Destination and Convention Resort
  • 2007 The North Carolina Center for Sustainable Tourism
  • 2005-2008 Development of a Master of Science Degree in Sustainable Tourism
  • 2006 The Toney Watkins Company: Destination and Convention Resort
  • 2006 Book: Managing Sustainable Tourism: A Legacy for the Future
  • 2005 Sustainable Tourism… Economic Development Strategy…North Carolina…
  • 2005 Strategic Plan: The Country Doctor Museum
  • 2005 Kansas Tourism Opportunities: Strategic Overview
  • 2005 Tourism Industry Examination and Analysis: Prairie…Visitors Center…
  • 2005 Sustainable Tourism as an Economic Development Strategy…Coastlines
  • 2004 Korean International University: Strategic Overview (Global Tourism Inst.)
  • 2003 The Greater Kansas City Area as an International Tourism Destination

  SIGNIFICANT AWARDS:

  • Member, The Chancellor’s Society (Jarvis Circle), East Carolina University
  • Panel Member, National Geographic Society’s Office of Sustainable Tourism
  • Recipient, Mexico’s Miguel Aleman Foundation Silver Medal for “International Tourism Leadership”
  • Member, Board of Trustees, People to People International (founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower)
  • Member, Board of Directors, The American Legacy Collection Foundation (art)
  • Charter Member, International Academy for the Study of Tourism
  • Special recognition for obtaining the U.S. as the site for World Cup ’94 Soccer
  • Department of Commerce: Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals: outstanding leadership
  • The George Washington University Award: “In Recognition of his Outstanding Contributions as a World Tourism Leader”