COLUMBIA — Three Columbia State Community College marketing students have drawn attention for an innovative tourism concept developed during a study abroad experience in Iceland, then presented to community stakeholders back home in Middle Tennessee. Students Gabby Curtis of Fairview, Xavier Viazcan of Lewisburg, and Montserrat Coronado of Spring Hill developed a campaign called "Fairview on Two Wheels" — a prototype designed to promote Fairview, Tennessee, as a destination for cycling, rail bike experiences, outdoor recreation, and local business engagement.
The project emerged from the Tennessee Board of Regents Global Studies Iceland program, a 10-week course during which the students observed destination tourism strategies in Icelandic towns, presented their Fairview concept to students at the University of Iceland, and received feedback that sharpened their approach. The campaign includes a fully developed website, a strategic marketing plan, a proposed bike trail system, and a rail bike dining experience concept designed to draw visitors to Fairview's local restaurants and attractions. The students used AI tools to generate visual content for the website as part of their hands-on coursework.
After returning from Iceland, the team presented the concept to Visit Franklin, where Lauren Ward, vice president of marketing and communications, expressed strong support for the initiative. Ward noted that the students demonstrated a thoughtful approach to every component of the campaign, from audience identification to brand alignment, and that they incorporated Visit Franklin's feedback with both strategic thinking and genuine passion for the work.
Curtis, a Fairview resident, said the Iceland experience helped the team rethink the campaign so it could connect with a wider audience, and that seeing how Iceland celebrates its landscapes and culture inspired the students to bring that same creative energy home. The project is a reminder of what community college education, done well, can accomplish: students from Maury County and surrounding communities gaining world-class experience and turning it into something that could benefit their own hometowns.