HGTV-Linked Expert Brings Destination Identity Workshop to Martin County

Loogootee, Ind. — August 21, 2026

Martin County is getting a dose of outside expertise this fall that small rural communities rarely attract. On Thursday, October 8, Shellie Phelps — the Wetumpka, Alabama, chamber executive who lived through HGTV’s Home Town Takeover — will lead a free Destination Identity Workshop at Lark Ranch.

The session runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is hosted by the Martin County Alliance for Economic Growth, with support from the Martin County Tourism Council and the Redevelopment Commission. Lunch is included for those who RSVP.

Who Is Shellie Phelps?

Phelps serves as executive director of the Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce. Wetumpka was the first town chosen for HGTV’s Home Town Takeover, the spin-off of Ben and Erin Napier’s popular Home Town series. The national exposure that followed helped transform the Alabama river town’s tourism numbers, downtown activity, and overall visibility. Phelps has since become a sought-after speaker and consultant on how small places can define and tell their own story. She operates under Biggest Fish Consulting and regularly works with communities looking to strengthen their destination identity.

Is This Kind of Workshop Normal?

Not for a county of Martin’s size. Destination-branding workshops have become more common in tourism and economic-development circles, but bringing in someone with direct HGTV experience and proven small-town results is still relatively rare outside larger or better-funded destinations. Most rural counties rely on regional tourism offices, state resources, or local volunteer efforts. Landing Phelps signals that Martin County leaders are intentionally investing in how the area presents itself to visitors and potential newcomers.

There is no indication of a multi-stop Indiana tour by Phelps this fall. The October 8 event appears to be a focused engagement arranged by the Alliance rather than part of a statewide circuit.

How It Helps — and Who Should Attend

The workshop is designed to help participants identify the authentic characteristics, history, culture, and assets that make Martin County distinctive, then translate those into clearer, more consistent messaging. In practical terms, that can mean sharper tourism marketing, stronger downtown and event promotion, better storytelling for business recruitment, and a shared sense of local pride.

People who would benefit most include:

• Local business owners and tourism operators
• Elected officials and economic-development board members
• Chamber, Alliance, and tourism-council volunteers
• Civic and nonprofit leaders
• Residents who care about how the county is perceived from the outside

The goal is not to invent a new identity but to surface and sharpen what is already here — the connection to Crane, the rolling southern Indiana landscape, the agricultural roots, the small-town character — so the community can present a more coherent picture to the world.

Why the Attention Matters

For a rural county that often feels overlooked between larger neighbors, outside validation carries weight. Hosting a figure tied to a high-profile HGTV project puts Martin County into conversations about destination development that usually skip places this size. Even a single well-run workshop can generate media interest, social media mentions, and conversations among tourism professionals. More importantly, it gives local leaders practical tools and a shared language for future marketing and recruitment efforts.

The Alliance is treating the event as open and accessible. Anyone interested in helping shape how Martin County tells its story is encouraged to attend. RSVP details are available through the Martin County Alliance for Economic Growth.

In an era when many small places compete for visitors and talent, clarifying what makes a community worth the trip is no longer optional. Martin County is taking that work seriously — and bringing in someone who has already watched it succeed under a national spotlight.