05/15/2009

 

Contact:  Lyndsay Rossman at 904.421.9153 or lrossman@visitjacksonville.com

                   Jennifer Bryant at 904.421.9161 or jbryant@visitjacksonville.com

 

 

Tourism Industry Names Winners of 2^nd Annual National Tourism Week Hospitality Awards

Local Residents, Government Officials and Businesses Recognized for Contributions to Tourism

 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (May 15, 2009) - Last night, Visit Jacksonville named the six recipients and five finalists of the National Tourism Week hospitality awards at a ceremony held at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens.  The top prize of the evening, the Visit Jacksonville Hall of Fame Award, was granted to Office of Special Events Director Theresa Price.

The Hall of Fame Award honors an individual whose vision, creativity and passion have had a positive and significant impact on the development and/or growth of Jacksonville's hospitality and tourism industry.  Price and her team are tasked with developing and producing such key events as Jacksonville Light Parade, Freedom, Fanfare & Fireworks, World of Nations and Jacksonville Jazz Festival, among countless others.  Her work was also a significant component to the success of Super Bowl XXXIX, which drove thousands of visitors to the city as well as exposure on an international stage.  The events produced by the Office of Special Events are key drivers of tourism and visitors.

"Theresa's thoroughness and dedication to the growth of tourism through her spectacular array of special events is a key asset for the entire city of Jacksonville," said John Reyes, president & CEO for Visit Jacksonville.  "On behalf of Visit Jacksonville, I applaud Theresa and all of the other honorees for their efforts in increasing tourism and economic impact for Jacksonville and Northeast Florida."

Other winners from the evening included:

• Madeline Scales-Taylor, Margo Dundon Leadership Award - Named for the past Visit Jacksonville Chairwoman of the Board of Directors, this award recognizes an individual who portrays Margo Dundon's vision and commitment to enhancing local tourism. As a member of Visit Jacksonville's Executive Board, serving this year as Immediate Past Chair, Madeline Scales-Taylor exemplifies thoughtful leadership through collaboration, creativity and passion for the destination and the industry.
• Councilman Michael Corrigan, Tourism Advocate Award - As a long-standing member of the community, city council and Duval County Tourist Development Council, Councilman Michael Corrigan's passion for this city is evident through his outstanding support for the local tourism industry. This commitment was responsible for a significant increase in advertising and marketing the destination which was underfunded in comparison to other Florida cities.

• PRI Productions, Visit Jacksonville Partner of the Year Award - PRI Productions earned the top spot for Partner of the Year due to its support of tourism and Visit Jacksonville.  PRI is a first-rate event production company headquartered in Jacksonville and has been involved in a number of Visit Jacksonville events throughout the year including the organization's annual meeting, Destination Outlook, THE PLAYERS Downtown Experience and many other special events that visitors enjoy.
  • Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village, Finalist: Accommodation
  • Adventure Landing, Finalist: Attraction
  • Bistro Aix Restaurant and Lounge, Finalist: Dining/Nightlife
  • PRI Productions, Finalist: Service/Meeting Facility
  • BROOKSLACAYO Advertising, Branding, and Public Relations, Finalist: Minority Owned Business
• Mike Feit, Hometown Ambassador Award - Florida Order of the Eastern Star 103^rd Annual Session 2008 Committee Chairman Mike Feit has been instrumental in keeping the annual meetings for Order of the Eastern Star in Jacksonville. The group has booked consecutively in Jacksonville since 2005, averaging 1,300 - 1,600 room nights per visit which translates to big economic impact and jobs for the city.
• Mary Andrew, Client of the Year Award - As founder of the Jacksonville Juniors Volleyball Association, which hosted five tournaments in the past year alone, Mary Andrew has made significant contributions to the city.  This year's tournaments welcomed a total of 6,566 room nights to Jacksonville during the 2008 - 2009 year which generated $6.9 million in total economic impact for visitor spending.  Mary also contributes to the community as the women's volleyball head coach at Florida State College at Jacksonville.

The awards ceremony was preceded with a keynote address by Shawn C. Bean, author of The First Hollywood: Florida and the Golden Age of Silent Filmmaking.  The address included highlights of Jacksonville as the country's winter film industry location, streamlined with the Jacksonville's National Tourism Week theme, "Become a Destination Star."

###

Visit Jacksonville, formerly the Jacksonville & the Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau, is the marketing organization contracted by the Duval County Tourist Development Council (TDC) to champion the growth of business and leisure tourism in Northeast Florida.  Along with its nearly 400 tourism partners, Visit Jacksonville stimulates economic impact, quality of life and recognition for the Northeast Florida region. For a closer look at all there is to see and do in Jacksonville, go to http://www.visitjacksonville.com/.