Statesville Tourism Development Authority Partners with Locable to Create a More Connected Way to Explore Statesville

New Locable mobile app connects visitors and residents with local events, attractions, businesses and self-guided walking tours

The Statesville Tourism Development Authority (Discover Statesville) has partnered with Locable to create a more connected way for visitors and residents to discover what to see, do and experience throughout Statesville.

The partnership coincides with the launch of Locable’s new mobile app, which brings local events, attractions, businesses, organizations and experiences together in one mobile-friendly resource. For Statesville, the technology also powers two self-guided walking tours and creates new opportunities for local businesses and organizations to connect their information to the broader community network.

“Small businesses are vital to both economic development and the visitor economy, particularly in the heart of our downtown,” said Cindy Sutton, Executive Director of the Statesville Tourism Development Authority. “Technology gives us another way to connect visitors directly with those businesses, attractions, events and experiences once they are here. We are proud to partner with Downtown Statesville Development Corporation and Locable to bring these tools together in a way that makes it easier for people to explore Statesville and, ultimately, spend more time engaging with our community.”

Two New Ways to Explore Statesville

Two self-guided experiences are now available through the Locable app and on StatesvilleNC.com: A Walk Back in Time and Art-Scape Statesville.

A Walk Back in Time

A Walk Back in Time brings Statesville’s longtime historic walking tour into an interactive digital format, guiding participants through Downtown Statesville while sharing the buildings, landmarks and stories that helped shape the community.

The historic tour has been part of Statesville’s story for more than two decades, originating as a project of the 2005 Leadership Statesville class. Its new digital format gives visitors and residents the freedom to experience that history at their own pace.

Art-Scape Statesville

Art-Scape Statesville offers another way to explore, leading participants through Statesville’s public art and highlighting murals, sculptures, installations and other works found throughout the community.

Both experiences can be accessed through the Locable app while exploring Statesville or viewed online through the Walking Tours section of StatesvilleNC.com.

One App, A More Connected Community

The new Locable app extends beyond walking tours.

Visitors and residents can use the app to discover local events, businesses, organizations and places, creating a mobile connection to information being shared throughout Locable’s community network.

For Statesville, the technology builds on work already underway by Locable partners, including Discover Statesville and Downtown Statesville Development Corporation, helping information travel farther rather than requiring organizations and businesses to continually recreate and submit content in multiple places.

“Most communities have far more assets and activities than people realize. Statesville's been an example of effectively curating and distributing content for a long time,” said Brian Ostrovsky of Locable. “We're excited that our new mobile app and tours capabilities can be a part of their continuing story!”

Discover Statesville will promote the app as a resource for visitors before and during their stay, but tourism leaders are equally excited about its potential for Statesville residents.

“Some of the best ambassadors for Statesville are the people who live here,” Sutton said. “We want locals exploring these tours, finding events, discovering places they may have driven past a hundred times and then sharing those experiences with friends and family. The more connected we are to our own community, the better we can share Statesville with others.”

Local Businesses: Get Connected

The Statesville Tourism Development Authority is also inviting local businesses and organizations to become part of the connected network supporting this experience.

Through Discover Statesville’s Get Connected program, local businesses and organizations can claim a free Locable profile, connect with the Discover Statesville network and make their information available through connected community resources.

Businesses can also connect tools they may already use, helping keep information current and making it easier for residents and visitors to discover what they have to offer.

“We want this technology to do more than help someone find a walking tour,” Sutton said. “We want it to create stronger connections between visitors and the businesses and experiences they encounter along the way. The more of our local businesses that participate, the richer that experience becomes and the more opportunities we create to connect visitor spending directly to our local economy.”

Local businesses and organizations interested in participating can learn more and get connected at StatesvilleNC.com/Get-Connected.