Last week I attended Opportunity Indianapolis, presented by the Lacy Leadership Association. Opportunity Indianapolis is a leadership program designed to give participants an exclusive, behind-the-scenes exploration of our city and significant community issues. I learned almost as much about my city in two days as I have in the 20 years I’ve lived here.

One of the community issues that had a lasting impact on me was the focus on education—we need to make it a number one priority in our city and that needs to happen right now. Mass transit is another issue that the city of Indianapolis needs to solve to serve its growing population and be considered a vibrant city of the future.

The overall message of Opportunity Indianapolis is to get involved. We all need to identify issues we are passionate about and let our voices be heard. Last week got me energized about making a difference in my city, and it also made me realize that I have a lot of work to do.

They’re old and young; they’re men and women; they’re Southerners, Northerners and Midwesterners – and they’re all in my sights here in Kansas City. These folks make up the membership of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW). I’m also an SATW member and many of us have been friends for a while.

SATW is a congenial group of communications professionals (journalists and public relations) who feed off each other with shared purpose – to tell the stories of what’s to do and see for travelers across America. And our regional conference is underway this weekend in KC.

Since Borshoff is committed to tourism and entertainment communications, I’m here promoting one of Indiana’s star attractions – White River State Park (WRSP). There’s a lot to be said about WRSP and these travel writers are loving it. Why not? WRSP is an amazing collection of great visitor attractions (Indianapolis Zoo, Eiteljorg Museum, IMAX Theater, Indiana State Museum, NCAA Hall of Champions and Victory Field) In fact, the New York Times travel section says “WRSP is Indianapolis’ version of the Mall in Washington.”

So over Boulevard beer and KC barbeque, I’m sharing the WRSP story with those who write travel stories for Midwest Living, Chicago Tribune, Cincinnati Enquirer, USA Today, Detroit Free Press, Washington Post, and many more media outlets. I’m glad to help them, because this is what we do – we help tell our clients’ stories. And along the way, we make a lot of good friends, break bread together and share a few laughs. I love what I do and fortunately, good relationships are not limited by age, gender nor geography – and neither are good stories. Pitch on…

Awww. Summer in Indiana. As a lifelong resident, I have many fond images of growing up and now enjoying Indiana with my friends and family. And, working in the tourism business for many years now provided countless opportunities to see and experience what the Great State of Indiana has to offer visitors and residents alike – from sunny beaches to rolling hills to stunning urban skylines. So, it was quite an honor to be asked by Indiana tourism officials to be on a panel of judges for the My Indiana Summer photo contest. Wow – what a success! More than 1,700 photos were submitted by over 200 photographers.

Our job as judges was to winnow down those 1,700 photos to the top five. And now, it’s up to the people of Indiana and beyond – it’s up to you – to vote for your favorite image. Vote at My Indiana Summer.

I was in remarkable company, joined by Amanda Cecil, PhD, CMP from IUPUI, John Bragg, owner of John Bragg Photography, Ray Begovich, journalism professor (and mentor) from Franklin College and Tad Fruits, art photographer from the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

My biggest take-away was that there is little doubt that the heartland of America – our great state – is beating with zeal and great health. So go ahead, take a look for yourself at My Indiana Summer and vote today.