It has historically been difficult for Scioto County residents to learn about events happening in the area, according to Lisa Carver, the executive director of the Portsmouth Area Chamber of Commerce. That’s why, in 2019, Joseph Pratt of Main Street Portsmouth started Portsmouth TODAY. Portsmouth TODAY is a quarterly forum in which local businesses and groups come together to advertise various events and projects around Scioto County. A joint effort of the Portsmouth Area Chamber of Commerce, the Visitor’s Bureau and Main Street Portsmouth, the next forum is slated for Wednesday, Oct. 23.
Now in its fifth year, various events planned for the coming months are expected to be announced. Previous partnering organizations have included the Friends of Portsmouth, River Days and the Portsmouth Wind Symphony, among others. Event organizers say that five to 10 groups are typically present at any meeting, and this week’s event is already fully booked. A sneak peek of what attendees can expect to learn about will include information from the Scioto County Public Library and the Scioto Heritage Museum. Organizers have made it easy to advertise even if a given organization isn’t able to attend; any group can have their flyers present at the event. In addition, event planners can submit their plans to the event calendar at Portsmouth.org for approval, after which they will be made public.
Previous events have drawn 40-50 visitors on average, according to Carver. She and Nate Welch, executive director of the Visitor’s Bureau, want to make sure that all prospective attendees are aware that entry is entirely free and open to the public. Considering the variety of events and projects being shared, it’s likely that anyone who visits will find something that interests or pertains to them. For anyone unable to attend in person, Welch livestreams each presentation on Facebook Live and subsequently publishes the video so that anyone interested can access the same information from home. Carver and Welch made sure to emphasize that Portsmouth TODAY is open to anyone, including college students.
Portsmouth TODAY is scheduled 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, in the Scioto County Welcome Center (342 2nd St.). Any questions about the event can be directed to Lisa Carver at the Portsmouth Area Chamber of Commerce, Nate Welch at the Visitor’s Bureau or Emily Ulrich at Main Street Portsmouth.
