COLUMBIA — Three Columbia State Community College marketing students have developed a tourism initiative for the town of Fairview after drawing inspiration from studying abroad in Iceland with the Tennessee Board of Regents Global Studies program. The project, called "Fairview on Two Wheels," proposes positioning Fairview as a destination for cycling, rail bikes, outdoor recreation, and local business engagement.
Gabby Curtis, a Fairview resident; Xavier Viazcan, a Lewisburg resident; and Montserrat Coronado, a Spring Hill resident, spent ten weeks creating a comprehensive marketing campaign that includes a fully developed website, strategic marketing plan, and a prototype bike trail system that would connect local restaurants, small businesses, and community attractions. The students gained hands-on experience building the website using artificial intelligence tools to create visual content that strengthened their message.
The study abroad component proved invaluable. While in Iceland, the students observed how small towns market themselves as destination tourism locations and presented their Fairview project to a class at the University of Iceland. That feedback proved transformative. "Meeting with a tourism advisor helped us rethink 'Fairview on Two Wheels' so it could connect with a wider audience," Curtis said. "Seeing how Iceland celebrates its landscapes and culture made me realize that Fairview has its own story worth sharing, and our project can help bring that story to life."
The enthusiasm for the project extends beyond the classroom. Lauren Ward, vice president of marketing and communications at Visit Franklin, expressed strong support for the initiative and its potential to strengthen regional tourism. "The students' thoughtful approach to each piece of the campaign, from identifying target audiences to overall visitor experience, was impressive," Ward said. "Their passion for the work and thoughtful execution were evident throughout the process."
The project represents the kind of practical, applied learning that Columbia State Community College brings to students across Maury County. For Fairview—a small town navigating the same growth and identity questions that face communities throughout Middle Tennessee—the vision of cycling tourism and outdoor recreation offers a path forward that honors the town's character while creating economic opportunity. That these ideas came from local students educated at Hampshire Pike makes the connection all the stronger.