Boots, Bikes, and Birds: Boosting Sierra Vista’s Reputation

Today we talk with Marketing & Communications Manager Judy Hector and Economic Development Manager Tony Boone about recent news, events, and the City’s approach to economic development and tourism. The City tackles these areas as a team, executing a tailor-made strategy that leverages Sierra Vista’s unique assets. With an ideal climate, nearby mountain trails, blossoming events, growing sports tourism efforts, and an extraordinary variety of birds that attract birders from around the world, Sierra Vista’s reputation as a destination for outdoor recreation is expanding. This was recently bolstered by a declaration making Sierra Vista the official Hummingbird Capital of Arizona, signed just this month by Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, and the renewal of the City’s status as a bicycle-friendly community. We learn how Sierra Vista is growing from Arizona’s best-kept secret to an up-and-coming destination for people who love the outdoors. 

Highlights:  

• How do the City’s signature Sips and Skies events tie into the city’s overall marketing strategy? (1:30) 

• Tony talks about the process of working with Perimeter Bicycling to bring the El Tour de Zona to Sierra Vista and what that will bring to the community. (3:57) 

• The City has made major headway to improve facilities to attract sports tournaments to Sierra Vista in partnership with local sports organizations. What does that mean in terms of dollars and how does it tie in with economic development? (15:30) 

• What unique challenges and opportunities set the stage for the City’s economic development strategy? (22:48) 

• Judy tells us about the recent declaration making Sierra Vista the “Hummingbird Capital of Arizona”. Will we pursue this declaration nationally and just how big is the birding tourism market? (31:44) 

• Learn about the King’s Court property sale just ratified by council on Thursday, May 27. (38:48) 

Local citizens are encouraged to join the conversation by asking questions, offering comments, and suggesting future topics. To share your thoughts, email Pod@SierraVistaAZ.gov.