FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Ryan Vaughan
Marketing Manager
Friends of Southwest Virginia
rvaughan@myswva.org
Friends of Southwest Virginia Selects Designsensory to Lead Regional Website Redevelopment
The project will combine regional input with strategic design to create a more unified and effective digital presence for Southwest Virginia.
ABINGDON, VA (Wednesday, April 1, 2026) – Friends of Southwest Virginia announces the selection of Designsensory to lead the redevelopment of the organization’s family of regional websites.
This effort includes the redevelopment of Visit SWVA, the region’s primary visitor-facing website, as well as ‘Round the Mountain, Friends of Southwest Virginia, and SWVA Cultural Center & Marketplace. Together, these platforms serve as key tools for promoting Southwest Virginia’s tourism assets, outdoor recreation opportunities, and creative economy.
The project will focus on creating a more cohesive digital presence across the organization’s brands, improving user experience, and better connecting visitors, partners, and communities with the region’s assets. The updated websites will support storytelling, trip planning, artisan promotion, and organizational visibility, while aligning with the region’s long-term tourism and economic development goals.
“Southwest Virginia has a strong story to tell, and our websites play a critical role in how that story is shared,” said Kim Davis, Executive Director of Friends of Southwest Virginia. “As we move into this next phase of work, it is important to have a partner with experience in rural communities and a strong understanding of Appalachia. Designsensory brings that perspective, along with a collaborative approach that aligns with how we work across the region. This process will include listening to partners, gathering input, and ensuring these sites reflect the voices and assets of the communities they represent. The goal is to create a digital presence that feels authentic to Southwest Virginia and supports the region moving forward.”
Designsensory, a Tennessee-based agency with extensive experience in tourism and place-based marketing, will lead the redevelopment process in collaboration with Friends of SWVA and regional stakeholders. The project will include stakeholder engagement, user research, content strategy, and design and development of the new sites.
“Southwest Virginia offers a rare sanctuary where experiences are genuinely rooted and profoundly real,” said Chris Cable, VP of Creative & Design at Designsensory. “We are honored to elevate these stories, crafting intimate connections for travelers seeking the authentic, the meaningful, and the memorable.”
The redevelopment process is currently underway, with opportunities for partner input and engagement planned throughout the project. Updated websites are expected to launch in phases throughout the rest of the year.