(Salisbury, MD) Wicomico Tourism recognized its strongest supporters during a reception and awards ceremony on Tuesday, May 17th. The recipients of the 2011 Tourism Awards were announced during the event, which took place at the Wicomico County Visitor’s Center.
From poodles to wrestlers and teenage softball players, Wicomico County Tourism brings several events to Wicomico County on an annual basis. These events provide an estimated $12 million economic impact. This impact would not be possible and would not continue on an annual basis without the support of local businesses and citizens of Wicomico County.
Tourism Manger Sandy Fulton elaborates, “Several area businesses and individuals go above and beyond in encouraging the growth of tourism in our area. From providing cash sponsorships for signature events to placing a ‘Welcome Visitors’ message on business marquees, the work of Wicomico Tourism is perpetuated through the support it receives by the community.”
In 2000, Wicomico Tourism held a reception and awards ceremony to recognize some of these supporters. The tradition has continued since then, and in 2011 awards were presented to the restaurant and business of the year as well as the hotelier and hospitality person of the year. The Betty K. Gardner Tourism Person of the Year was also revealed. This award, named in honor of the late Betty K. Gardner, honors an individual who has proven him/herself instrumental in the promotion of tourism in Wicomico County. Each award recipient was also received a citation from Senators Richard F. Colburn and James N. Mathias. Recipients were selected by the Tourism Advisory Board.
The 2011 Tourism Award Recipients are:
Restaurant of the Year:
Zia’s Italian Restaurant, Alex and Pete Bubbas
Hotelier of the Year:
Bak Patel, Owner/Operator of Microtel, Country Inn & Suites and Holiday Inn Express
Hospitality Person of the Year:
Dean Coffelt, Apple Drugs
Business of the Year
Frank Ferrogine, President/CEO of Gateway Subaru
Tourism Person of the Year (Betty K. Gardner Award):
Chris Perkins, Jet Carpet Cleaning
4 comments:
this is an honest question- How does a carpet cleaning professional win tourism person of the year? shouldn't this be awarded to someone in the tourism or hospitality business?
Congrats to everyone.
They do a great job. The beer festival was a BLAST!
What a joke. This carpet cleaning business has done absolutely nothing in or for this community. Disgusting. He has family WORKING FOR the tourism dept.
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