2026 S.M.A.R.T. Networking: Cutting Through the Marketing Noise

Looking to improve your brand and presence while connecting with other local professionals over coffee?

Designed for people of all levels of experience, S.M.A.R.T. Networking: Cutting Through the Marketing Noise features a panel of local marketing professionals who are excited to share tips and tricks that will help you determine what marketing strategies work best for your specific goals, audience, skill level, capacity, and budget.

People of all levels of marketing experience are encouraged to join the conversation. Seats are limited! Register today.

About Our Panelists

Leah Jones
Marketing Director
Kubota of Lynchburg | Confident Equipment | Bee Line Transport | Lynchburg Powersports

Leah Jones is a marketing professional with over a decade of experience spanning from national collegiate marketing to agency work. She began her career in large-scale marketing initiatives before moving into an agency role focused on client relationships, strategic development, and high-impact creative. For the past five years, Leah has worked as the Marketing Director for her family’s four businesses (Bee Line Transport, Kubota of Lynchburg, Lynchburg Powersports and Confident Equipment), managing everything from social media and videography to graphic design, copywriting, and website management. She is passionate about small business marketing and branding, and is looking forward to sharing her hand-on insights. 

Chris Morris
Founder/Owner
Eagle's Eye Creative

Chris Morris, founder of Eagle’s Eye Creative, has spent years helping small businesses navigate the ever-shifting world of social media—adapting as platforms evolve, algorithms change, and trends come and go. With a background in behavioral economics, Chris builds strategy around how people actually make decisions: what earns attention, builds trust, and motivates action. Through full-service social media management and 1:1 mentorship, he helps brands show up consistently with content that feels human, clear, and aligned. Chris helps businesses trade vanity metrics for real connection—building a community that engages, supports, and becomes customers naturally.

Nicole Johnson
Director of Tourism
Bedford County Tourism

With more than a decade of experience in destination marketing, Nicole leads strategic initiatives that drive visitation and strengthen economic impact for Bedford County. Since 2017, she has guided the county’s tourism program, including the launch of the Destination Bedford Virginia brand in 2019 — a comprehensive campaign that unified and elevated the county’s historic, outdoor, and cultural assets under one cohesive and recognizable identity. A Bedford native and Liberty High School graduate, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Media Studies and Journalism in 1998 from Radford University. Her career began at Micromarketing in Chantilly, Virginia, where she worked on direct mail campaigns for national clients including Bed Bath & Beyond. She later spent several years in the telecommunications and public power industries in Washington, DC, planning and promoting conferences and tradeshows nationwide before returning to Southwest Virginia to lead regional initiatives for the National Kidney Foundation. In 2011, she joined the National D-Day Memorial, serving in leadership roles spanning marketing, development, fundraising, and major event planning. This experience further shaped her collaborative, partnership-focused approach to tourism and community engagement. Today, she remains committed to strengthening the connection between tourism, business, and local government. She serves on the Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce Board and the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber Board and is actively engaged in regional tourism and economic development efforts.

Woody Watts
Creative Director/Owner
Media Squatch

Woody is an experienced marketing professional with more than 15 years of experience creating and leading impactful local media and advertising initiatives. He has served as Communications Director for the YMCA of Central Virginia, taught film studies at Liberty Christian Academy, and has worked on more than 3,000 locally focused commercials across a wide range of industries. For the past seven years, he has run Media Squatch (formerly Watts Creative Studios), a full-service content and marketing agency providing podcast production, social media management, ad buying, and content creation for businesses throughout the region. He is passionate about helping local brands tell authentic stories and connect meaningfully with their communities.

About S.M.A.R.T. Networking

The Bedford Area Chamber’s S.M.A.R.T. (Seeking Mutual Advancement through Resources & Topics) Networking series turns member feedback into action. Each session is inspired by topics requested directly by Chamber members and led by subject-matter experts who bring real-world insight and practical strategies to help local professionals grow.

These sessions aren’t just presentations! They’re interactive, discussion-based learning experiences designed to build confidence, encourage collaboration, and strengthen the leadership and talent pipeline within our business community.

By aligning with the Chamber’s mission to serve as a catalyst for business success and a champion for a vibrant economy, S.M.A.R.T. Networking fosters professional growth while deepening community connections.

Each session features a focused, timely topic such as grant writing, marketing, or hiring solutions. Attendees engage directly with the speakers and each other through hands-on activities, open dialogue, and networking opportunities.

Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills, exchange ideas, or explore new perspectives, S.M.A.R.T. Networking helps you learn something valuable every time.