News Release
ACVB Recognizes Member and Volunteer Contributions to Visitor Industry
Anchorage, Alaska – April 20, 2009 – Nine visitor industry awards were given at the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau’s (ACVB) 22nd Annual Seymour Awards Banquet Friday, April 17, 2009, at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center. Seymour Awards recognize ACVB members and volunteers who have provided excellence in product and/or service, have contributed significantly to the visitor industry or specifically to ACVB’s programs, and who enhance Anchorage’s image as a visitor destination.
“The Seymour Awards allow us to recognize a handful of our more than 1,250 members each year. It’s tough to determine the winners. Every year when we sit down and look at the nominees it’s gratifying to get a sense of how much the visitor industry really contributes to the community – not just in terms of jobs and economic impact, but also in the contributions to our quality of life and in helping Anchorage’s nonprofits and charities. We’ve got a lot to be proud of in our industry,” said ACVB President and CEO, Julie Saupe.
Awards include:
The “Member of the Year” award was presented to the Alaska Channel, a publishing and video production company that actively works with ACVB in the marketing of Anchorage through participation in familiarization (FAM) programs, as well as ACVB membership programs and events. Alaska Channel also produced much of the content for ACVB’s recently launched Virtual Visitor Center (VVC).
ACVB volunteers Pauline Potter and Jean Kaufman were recognized as ACVB’s volunteers of the year. Both women have donated countless hours to serving visitors to Anchorage and are active in numerous other community organizations. Potter was recognized as the “Volunteer of the Year – Downtown” for serving countless numbers of visitors to the Log Cabin and downtown Visitor Information Center. Kaufman, an ACVB volunteer for the past 28 years, was recognized as the “Volunteer of the Year – Airport” where ACVB has a Visitor Information Center.
The “Meeting Champion of the Year” award went to Betty Buchan, PhD, DFTCB, Assistant Professor of Public Health at the University of Alaska Anchorage and member of the International Epidemiological Association, for booking the World Congress of Epidemiology, anticipated to bring an estimated economic impact of $2.3 million to Anchorage in October 2014. The Meeting Champion of the Year award category recognizes those in the community who help ACVB’s Convention Meetings Sales and Service (CMSS) team bring meetings or conventions to Anchorage. In 2008, ACVB’s CMSS staff booked more than $99 million in future convention and meeting business, while 2008’s held meetings totaled $97.2 million estimated economic impact. Local businesses and residents play an important role in bringing state, national and international meetings and conventions to Anchorage.
Charlene’s Express Travel received the “Member Contribution to the Visitor Industry” award. An active ACVB member and community partner, Charlene’s Express Travel is instrumental in developing new visitors for Anchorage through assisting on FAMs, offering translation services, and being extraordinary guides. This firm was one of the first in Alaska to get involved as ACVB began to pursue new markets, particularly Southeast Asia and China.
The Anchorage Statehood Celebration Committee, co-chaired by Darl Schaaff and Tennys Owens, took home the “Community Organization” award. An asset to the Anchorage community, they have contributed countless hours in organizing, planning and supporting a variety of community and statewide events celebrating Alaska’s 50th Anniversary of Statehood, including the “We’re In” Weekend event in June 2008, the 50th Anniversary of Statehood Gala and Statehood Day. Their support continues this year with a repeat of “We’re In” Weekend slated for June 27, 2009.
The “Member Contribution to the Bureau” award was presented to long-time ACVB partner, Hotel Captain Cook. This award-winning hotel has participated with the Bureau in every aspect of its tourism marketing programs. From independent tourists, to group tours, to conventions, Hotel Captain Cook has willingly partnered with ACVB in its targeted, focused marketing efforts to bring more visitors to Anchorage.
The “Tour Operator of the Year” award, which is given on occasion in recognition of a tour operator that has made a significant impact on the Anchorage visitor industry, was given to Best Cruises of Edison, New Jersey. Best Cruises has worked with ACVB for more than 10 years bringing countless visitors to Anchorage and Southcentral Alaska.
The “All Alaskan Award” was bestowed on Alaska Wild Ride Sled Dog Rodeo. Owned by the Seavey family, this purely Alaskan and unique show provides visitors a one-of-a-kind, 50-minute show that takes an audience through all aspects of dog mushing.
The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau’s (ACVB) mission is to attract and serve visitors to the Municipality of Anchorage as a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO). ACVB’s marketing functions are funded by one-third of the bed tax collected by lodging associations. One-third goes to the Municipality’s general fund, a contribution established in 1978, and one-third to service the bond debt and operations of the Anchorage Convention Centers. ACVB receives no state or federal funds. Explore www.Anchorage.net for more information.
Media Contacts:
Jeanette Anderson Moores
Public Relations
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
jmoores@anchorage.net
(907) 276-4118
Explore www.Anchorage.net
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