CVB Begins Travel and Tourism Celebration Month

News release courtesy of the Bryan/College Station Convention & Visitors Bureau:

For those in the hospitality industry, sometimes providing top-level service is a thankless job. That wasn’t the case Monday afternoon.

The Bryan-College Station Convention & Visitors Bureau started its annual “Travel and Tourism Celebration” month today with the Hospitality Celebration luncheon. The luncheon culminated with 11 different individuals or organizations being recognized for their significant contributions to the area over the past year.

“Most people in the hospitality or service industry go through each day at about Mach 3 speed, especially here in Aggieland,” said BCS CVB President/CEO Shannon Overby. “So we use this luncheon to take a second to slow down, look back and appreciate what everyone has done.”

More than 100 people were in attendance at the annual luncheon, which was held at Christopher’s World Grille. Awards were handed out in eight different categories, including the “Exceptional Service Associate” award given to a person who has done something exceptional for customers or visitors to the area, and the “Outstanding Service Provider” an honor given to a business that has gone above and beyond in the hospitality area.

“Every nomination we received this year could be honored with an award,” said Sydney Murrell, who works in sales and servicing for the BCS CVB and organized this year’s luncheon. “We’re just amazed at what people do in our community to make travel and tourism here one of the best experiences in the state. Our awards selection panel definitely had hard work cut out for them this year!”

The BCS CVB will continue its “Travel and Tourism Celebration Month” with the Community Celebration event on May 12 at Wolf Pen Creek Park in College Station, and May 20 with the Tourism Savings Showdown at the HEB on Villa Maria in Bryan. The month’s celebrations will culminate in the final week of May with some community open houses and other activities at the BCS CVB’s office.

2014 Bryan-College Station Convention & Visitors Bureau Hospitality Award Recipients

Outstanding Service Provider: Hilton Garden Inn

Exceptional Service Associate: Kathy Cordes – Four Points by Sheraton

Hometown Hero: Jinmoo Heo – Texas A&M

Community Promotional Partner: College Station Parks & Recreation

Tourism Partner: Chris Dyer – Arts Council of the Brazos Valley

Sports Impact Award: Tommy & Brenda Galvan – Bryan Lady Cobras

Sports Impact Award: Marcy Girton – Texas A&M Athletics

Convention Impact Award: Kyle Merten – Texas 4-H Roundup

Convention Impact Award: RDM Pros

Media Partner Award: KEOS 89.1 FM

Media Partner Award: Bill Oliver, WTAW

– Outstanding Service Provider recognizes a business in the hospitality industry that has gone above and beyond to ensure top-level service to residents and visitors alike.

– Exceptional Service Associate recognizes an individual in the service industry that has performed a single act that has helped create a positive outlook on the community to outside visitors, or that on a daily basis provides service to residents and visitors that is a level above others.

– Hometown Hero honors an individual that has gone the extra mile to make Bryan-College Station a better place, for visitors and residents. They are active and an involved participant helping with special events in the community.

– Community Promotional Partner recognizes an individual or organization that teams up with the BCS CVB on a regular basis to help enhance tourism and its impacts on the community at large.

– Tourism Partner honors an individual or organization that has worked intensively in the tourism arena to provide a meaningful experience to visitors in Aggieland.

– Sports Impact Award recognizes a sports related group or organization that has made a significant impact on the Bryan-College Station economy or enhanced the experience for sports visitors to the area.

– Convention Impact Award recognizes a convention related group or organization that has made a significant impact on the Bryan-College Station economy or enhanced the experience for visitors.

– Media Partner Award honors an individual or media outlet that has collaborated closely with the BCS CVB in promoting Aggieland to visitors, or has gone above and beyond to promote tourism on their own.

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