COLUMBIA — Three Columbia State Community College marketing students recently returned from a study abroad trip to Iceland with more than memories — they brought back a polished tourism concept for the town of Fairview, Tennessee. Students Gabby Curtis of Fairview, Xavier Viazcan of Lewisburg, and Montserrat Coronado of Spring Hill developed "Fairview on Two Wheels," a prototype tourism campaign built around cycling trails, rail bike dining experiences, and local business engagement.
The project was developed as part of the Tennessee Board of Regents Global Studies Iceland program, led by Columbia State professor Holly Brew. While abroad, the students observed destination tourism models, consulted with an Icelandic tourism advisor, and presented their Fairview campaign to students at the University of Iceland — who then presented a reciprocal project about Iceland. The students later shared their concept with Visit Franklin, where vice president of marketing Lauren Ward praised both the campaign's strategic depth and the students' responsiveness to feedback.
Curtis said Iceland's celebration of its landscapes and culture made her realize Fairview has its own story worth telling. Coronado described the experience as transformative both creatively and personally. The project is a reminder that community development ideas sometimes need to travel a long way before they can come home.