Virtual Reality Brings Workforce Attraction to Life

Leading Strategic Growth and Community Empowerment

Bethany Quinn is a trailblazer. For more than nine years, she has been at the forefront of transforming Golden Shovel Agency from an economic development website and video production company, into a full-service marketing powerhouse, specializing in strategy creation and comprehensive marketing campaigns. Through visionary leadership and an unwavering commitment to innovation, Bethany has driven the development of cutting-edge products and expanded service offerings, resulting in transformative company growth. She also pioneered Golden Shovel’s thought leadership and Resource Learning Library, conducting ongoing industry research and identifying best practices, to educate and elevate the economic development community.

Bethany’s passion for economic development runs deep. As President, she leads the team with a sharp focus on using research-driven insights and stakeholder engagement, to craft impactful strategies that strengthen communities across the nation. She has played a pivotal role in shaping Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS), target industry attraction campaigns, and long-term strategic plans that deliver measurable results.

She is proud of the work Golden Shovel does to empower economic developers to strengthen their communities. These notable successes include Falls City, Nebraska reversing population decline, and igniting future growth through downtown revitalization and infrastructure improvements, resulting in a $5 billion investment. Attraction success stories, such as this, is important, but Bethany also values the small wins, such as helping economic developers to retain their existing industries, supporting entrepreneurs, expanding childcare, and developing more housing units. “Economic development is about improving people’s lives. My passion, my education, and my work center around strengthening communities, so families can thrive and live the American Dream.”

Bethany’s influence extends beyond her day-to-day leadership at Golden Shovel. She is a sought-after speaker at industry conferences and webinars, and regularly presents for the Southern Economic Development Council and Texas Economic Development Council, where she shares her expertise in modern economic development strategies, and community transformation.

Driven by a passion for community betterment, Bethany’s volunteer work has included serving on the board of the University of Missouri Family Impact Center and Youth Resources. She works tirelessly to strengthen educational, health, and housing programs for underserved populations, reflecting her commitment to creating lasting change.

Bethany holds a B.S. in Human Development with a focus on Organizational Leadership, and is pursuing a Master’s degree in Psychology. A lifelong learner, she holds certifications in social and behavioral research, project management, inbound marketing, systems thinking, and AI-powered marketing.

In her personal life, Bethany finds inspiration through travel, particularly to Disney and the Outer Banks of North Carolina. As an advocate for historical preservation, she actively supports organizations like George Washington's Mount Vernon and the Gettysburg Foundation, preserving the stories that shaped America.