One East Kentucky Uses 360-Degree Video and Virtual Reality to Move Forward Despite Pandemic Travel Restrictions

PlaceVR Technology Makes Economic Development Progress Possible

PAINTSVILLE, KY -- One East Kentucky has launched a 360-degree Familiarization (FAM) Tour to attract national and international attention to the business and lifestyle opportunities that are available in the 9-county area they serve. The videos, produced by Golden Shovel Agency, will be used on the organization’s digital channels and will be loaded onto virtual reality (VR) headsets that will give viewers an immersive experience of Kentucky from anywhere in the world.

“We heard about Golden Shovel’s PlaceVR technology a few years ago, and then when the COVID pandemic hit, we knew that this was what we needed to make sure that we’re moving forward and prepared to market our region internationally,” said Chuck Sexton, President and CEO of One East Kentucky.

One East Kentucky has aggressive goals for making the region known to business leaders and site selectors. By using 360-degree video and virtual reality, they’re able to showcase the workforce, resources, and amenities that are available in a way that’s memorable and opens up viewers to a next step like scheduling a meeting or a visit when the time is right.

“When someone is looking at Eastern Kentucky with VR goggles, their brain responds in the exact same way as if they were there in person,” said Aaron Brossoit, CEO of Golden Shovel Agency. “It’s that intense brain activity that makes the message memorable and that’s just what you need to stand out in the economic development world.”

One East Kentucky is collaborating with Golden Shovel Agency to create a series of six videos and 3D building renderings that will market available land in industrial park sites and existing buildings that are for sale.

You can view the video at: https://youtu.be/Qjazu0OE3nc

ONE EAST KENTUCKY was established in 2015 as east Kentucky’s Center of Economic Development Excellence and is a 501(c)3 regional economic development organization responsible for spearheading the growth and diversification of eastern Kentucky’s economic base through recruiting new industry, jobs, and investment to the heart of Appalachia. Since 2016, One East Kentucky has announced over 1,000 new jobs and $154.6 million in capital investment. For more information about One East Kentucky, the nine-county region, industrial properties, workforce development incentives, or other economic development resources, visit www.oneeastky.com.

GOLDEN SHOVEL AGENCY’S PLACEVR is a full-service economic development firm specializing in workforce attraction for economic and community development. PlaceVR is a revolutionary new approach to economic development that harnesses emerging 360-degree video and virtual reality technologies to create immersive experiences that drive business and workforce recruitment. Our productions combine a depth of experience in both virtual reality production, marketing, and communications to bring to life an entirely new strategy for attracting businesses, talent, and visitors. Learn more at https://www.placevr.net