About Us
We are a heritage experience consulting firms that believes in unlocking the potential in every place and space by creating experiences that represent rich heritage, identities and cultures within local communities.
We accomplish this by creating partnerships and opportunities between heritage experiences, local governments and tourism destinations.
Because we trust that when communities market their heritage sustainably, there is no limitation to the economic and preservation value.
My Story
Suzey Van Ness is an experienced and committed leader in the cultural heritage tourism industry, with over two decades of experience in developing and implementing dynamic programs that unite diverse communities and promote social change. She is passionate about unlocking potential in every place, having worked with municipalities to assess and develop programs that strive to sustain cultural resources while providing economic opportunity.
As an award-winning heritage destination marketing professional and grass roots tourism advocate, Suzey brings a passion for travel and a love for all things Nevada! Originally from the Central Coast of California, Suzey served as executive director of marketing for MGM Studios and Sony Pictures where she learned the power of mass communication and how it can be used for social change and advocacy. After received more than a dozen broadcast awards for her campaigns, she moved to Las Vegas where she was brought on to open Southern Nevada’s largest cultural institution, The Springs Preserve.
There she was able to join her love of history, cultural heritage, non-profit management, advocacy and cause related marketing campaigns to truly impact social change. The Springs Preserve, multi-million dollar visitor center, public park, and event space is a cultural institution boasting museums, walking trails, gardens, a library and Nature Exchange and educational classes.
It was during this time Suzey realized the importance of heritage tourism and she joined Nevada Preservation Foundation where she launched the Heritage Tourism Division and developed programing that not only supporting the historic preservation messaging but followed sustainable tourism practices. She has grown Home + History Las Vegas to by 25% year after year and it is now the largest Heritage Tourism Festival in the State of Nevada. All the while developing partnerships, programming, communications, volunteer, stakeholder and sponsorship partnerships that support the mission and advocacy efforts of the important cultural heritage of the state of Nevada.
Some of Our Work
Vintage Vegas Home Tour 2019
Boulder City Home Tour 2019
Cultural Heritage Bus Tour 2018
Seeing Stars Bike Tour 2021
Vegas Modernism Cocktail Party 2019
Hoover Dam by Day, Block 16 by Night, Home + History 2023
Vintage Neighborhood Walking Tour 2022
Vintage Neighborhood Bike Tour 2023
Questions?
What is Heritage Tourism?
The National Trust defines heritage tourism as “traveling to experience the places, artifacts, and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of the past and present. It includes cultural, historic and natural resources” (National Trust for Historic Preservation, 2008).
More and more people are seeking unique travel experiences that combine history, education, entertainment and authenticity. A cultural heritage tourism survey conducted in 2009 revealed that 78% of all U.S. leisure travelers participate in cultural and/or heritage activities while traveling. These cultural and heritage travelers stay longer, spend more, and travel more often. They also tend to be older, better educated, more sophisticated, and often more affluent than other tourists. Overseas cultural heritage travelers visiting the United States tend to be more first-time travelers, stay longer in the United States, and visit more destinations than the average traveler.
What does Heritage Tourism mean to Nevada?
How Can HIA Help?
It all starts with a conversation. Do you feel you have heritage tourism programs or assets that could be better utilized for your community? We believe every community has a unique and priceless heritage. An properly managed, can be protected, while both bringing communities together and providing an economic value.
Perhaps there’s an important building in need of restoration, infrastructure improvement, or preservation in a particular community. History in Action (HiA) can connect that community with a consortium of resources and people to help resurrect their building and transform it into a source of pride and prosperity. HIA maintains relationships with experts from all walks of life, from archivists to historians to surveyors to environmentalists and many others.
Whether it’s a structure, a local eating place, a specific way of life, a work of art, a book, a boat, an expanses of land, or a body of water, the source of any community’s heritage can be virtually without limitation and HiA can help bring it to light.
When communities are ready to market their heritage, we can also be a valuable source for education and training about the tourism industry. Our knowledge is expansive, and our relationships within the industry are diverse. In the areas of marketing and promotion, we can offer counsel, as well as professional resources. Assisting with special heritage and tourism-related projects is also a top priority for HiA.
We can serve as a reliable source of information for destinations that may not be on everyone’s “been there, done that” list. By working with communities to help them promote their heritage, we’ll have first-hand information on which new tourist and historical attractions might offer the freshest and most interesting experiences for visitors.
HiA will also serve as a vital link between communities and the tourism industry, advocating good will, collaboration and partnerships with various groups, including national and international organizations and their local chapters. Local, state and federal economic development agencies are included in this partnership.
The cooperation of communities, humanitarian organizations and tourism professionals, as heritage partners, enables HIA to promote heritage and cultural education, encouraging tourism development. This collaboration creates extensive community and economic development via the tourism industry.