TexBox Tourism & Community Network Project a Joint Endeavor Between the Texas Department of Transportation & Texas A&M University

	Speaker:
	Andy Skadberg Assistant Professor, Extension Specialist Dept. of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences Texas A&M University
	Description: Learning Objectives/Delivery/Evaluation: Presentation attendees will understand what the TexBox pilot project involves and the overall deployment strategy. The presentation will be a Powerpoint slide show. Questions and feedback will be solicited after the presentation. What is the TexBox Tourism & Community Network Project? The TexBox Tourism & Community Network Project (TexBox Network) is a network of free-standing kiosks being installed at Texas Department of Transportation Safety Rest Areas and Travel information Centers in Texas. TexBoxes provide important travel information and services to the traveling public. The TexBox Network also creates numerous additional benefits, a few include: A new "marketing" venue for rural communities and businesses interested in growing tourism in their area Hubs for regional and community collaboration and networking Valuable capabilities to link and disseminate critical emergency/medical services to rural areas A system to capture critical information about the traveling public, their activities, preferences and feedback This TexBox project developed out of the Texas Cooperative Extension and addresses major issues for rural tourism development that have been identified by our constituents. Purpose: The purpose of the TexBox Network is to provide: A complete "package" of answers to questions that traveler's might have, and Customized information about the places they are traveling through. For the State of Texas, the intent of the TexBox Network is to be better hosts to our visitors and do a better job of "Marketing Texas". Traveler's characteristics are changing and "customers" are technology savvy. The TexBox Network can fulfill the demands of this changing audience, answer their questions while also addressing several other important issues that are facing the tourism industry, communities, and citizens in the State.