West Virginia Hospitality & Travel Association

WVHTA logo

The West Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association represents a large segment of the private tourism industry in the state of West Virginia.  Its main responsibilities include  government relations for its 250 plus members, and organizing an annual educational convention for the group. Working closely with the West Virginia Tourism Commission and the West Virginia Division of Tourism, the WVHTA seeks to strengthen this industry so important to the state’s economy.

Company Story

In 2008, the association opened its website development to bids.  Bricks Without Straw wasn’t the least expensive, but what Jamie and his staff offered in content and expertise appealed far more to the association’s astute committee.  Bricks Without Straw was awarded the contract, and since then, the association has had no regrets.  As executive director Carol Fulks described, Jamie’s strong work ethic combined with his exceptional creativity form a strong foundation for the site.  “Jamie is efficient.  He’s prompt in anything we request. . .if I send him something to include on the website, it’s on there within the hour.  His photography and his artwork are great.  And his ideas. .. (they’re) new and creative.”  Nora Johnson, of Member Services,  agrees.  “She’s described Jamie to a T.” 

Attention to Detail

An important component of the site was creation of a “members only” area.  Providing members access to important legislative information impacting the industry was also a necessity.  Jamie met those needs, along with an additional one.  He set up direct links from the WVHTA site to the individual websites of its members, an option missing from the previous website.  A simple addition, but one the association’s members greatly appreciate.  “We have people google ‘West Virginia tourism’, find our site. . .” and with a click, they have access to WVHTA members.  Members have been told, “I found you under the West Virginia Hospitality and Travel site.”  Its this attention to detail that makes Bricks Without Straw a valuable asset to its clients.

New Ideas

Jamie’s creativity and ingenuity are also assets.  For example, he offered ways the WHVTA could enhance its relationship with event sponsors.  As Bricks Without Straw prepared single-sided invitations for the WVHTA’s legislative reception, Jamie saw an excellent opportunity to grant the association’s co-sponsor, Brickstreet Insurance, additional exposure through an advertisement on the back.  The WVHTA liked the idea, and the resulting invitations really impressed the event’s attendees.  Fulks and Johnson added, “The artwork was great;  the lettering was very nice. . .the colors. . .it was very professional.  It was beautiful.” 

Jamie also suggested the association utilize banner advertising on its website, again providing a dual benefit for WHVTA and its sponsors.  On a site filled with potential customers, banner ads spotlight businesses, similar to the billboard concept;  the WHVTA receives additional revenue through the sponsorship.  It’s a win-win situation for both.

Electronic Newsletter

While Fulks and Johnson provide the content, they gladly hand over distribution of the association’s electronic newsletter to Jamie and his staff.  “He does it all.” Fulks said. “Char helps him, and she’s excellent.”  It’s just another way that hiring Bricks Without Straw has proved beneficial to the WVHTA.  “We have his knowledge, his know how, to help us look good.”

Bricks Without Straw is a digital agency and design agency based in South Charleston, WV United States and Ota, Tokyo, Japan.

We offer a range of web design services including: web development, e-commerce services and email marketing. We also offer a range of graphic design services including logo design and exhibition stands.

We love working with clients of all sizes in a range of industry sectors, creating and implementing inspiring and hard working concepts and campaigns for business-business and business-consumer clients.

Valicia Leary

Bricks Without Straw has continued to exceed our expectations with their design work, support and attention to detail. We would highly recommend their services. They have a wonderful team and we enjoy our working relationship with them.

Carol Fulks

Bricks Without Straw has continued to exceed our expectations with their design work, support and attention to detail. We would highly recommend their services. They have a wonderful team and we enjoy our working relationship with them.

Patti Hamliton

Bricks Without Straw is bringing our association into the 21st Century! He brings us ideas and innovation for our web site and other tools of technology that help us enhance our image and our message.

Rebecca McPhail

Bricks Without Straw has continued to exceed our expectations with their design work, support and attention to detail. We would highly recommend their services. They have a wonderful team and we enjoy our working relationship with them.

Bill Raney

Jamie is one of the most committed and energetic professionals we have ever worked with over the years. He seems to work all the time with full 24-7 accessibility and immediate response. Bricks Without Straw has raised our collective confidence for maximizing opportunities in today’s world. We simply could not have done it without them.

Jan Vineyard

The demands and responsibilities to our members mandate that the online presence of our associations and our internet capabilities are reliable and seamless. Add creativity to that mix and one gets the complete package with Jamie Summers-Brown and his staff at Bricks without Straw.