Salisbury, MD – Wicomico County’s Tourism Division recognized its strongest partners during a reception and awards ceremony on Wednesday, May 25 at the Wicomico County Visitor’s Center. Held annually since 2000, the reception recognizes community members and businesses who have dedicated themselves to supporting tourism initiatives in Wicomico County.
In fiscal year 2016, Wicomico County’s tourism efforts have continued to grow. The division has sold or held 53 events, 7 of which were of regional or national caliber. These events generated over 35,000 hotel room nights, 132,000 visitors and an estimated economic impact of $53 million. This success would not be possible if it were not for tourism’s many community partners. These partners help the County recruit new events, retain and grow current events and welcome event attendees into the community. 2016 tourism award recipients included:
Hospitality Award: Joshua Sanders, General Manager of the Courtyard by Marriott and Residence Inn
Although fairly new to Wicomico County, Sanders has embraced tourism’s mission, becoming an active participant in all of tourism’s events. When issues arise or tourism has a need, Sanders is a willing partner who is always ready to lend a helping hand.
Business of the Year: Southern Boys Concepts (accepted by Todd Van Geluwe)
With five restaurants in Wicomico County, Southern Boys Concepts embraces tourism and its initiatives. It is one of the first to jump on board when advertising opportunities are presented in our annual visitor’s guide or special event programs. In addition to supporting events hosted by tourism, this business launched Wicomico County’s first brewery, which serves as a tourist attraction of its own.
Partner of the Year: Bill Atkinson of Fruitland Baseball
Atkinson is organizing over a dozen baseball tournaments in Wicomico County this year alone. It’s estimated that these events will generate an economic impact exceeding $9 million. The strong brand and reputation he’s built within the baseball industry continues to draw teams to Wicomico County, and tourism is proud to work in partnership with him.
Tourism Person of the Year (Betty K. Gardner Award): Priscilla Timken of Chesapeake Tours & Promotions
Timken’s professional career has been spent in the tourism industry as a tour guide, cultural liaison for the Smithsonian and as a certified travel agent. Her roots as a seventh generation Eastern Shore Native brought her back to the area over 25 years ago. Since then, Timken has dedicated herself to sharing the history and culture of the Chesapeake, opening up our back roads, quaint small towns and hideaway eateries to visitors. Most recently, she’s expanded her offerings and now serves as Wicomico County’s only full service, receptive tour operator.
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Partner of the Year: Bill Atkinson of Fruitland Baseball
ReplyDeleteYou've got to be kidding me? This guy is ripping off Fruitland Little League left and right. A complaint was made to Little League International about him using Fruitland Little League facilities and his position as a Board Member at Fruitland Little League to profit from the league. Ultimately he resigned to make it look good, but he is still there. He is conning the families of very young children who don't know better and brags to them that he will make their little Cal Ripken as "Stud" in baseball if they join his organization "Fruitland Force." When the kids get older they catch on to him and then the kids and the parents can't stand him so they join better travel ball teams and refuse to play baseball at Fruitland Little League if he is the coach.
Bill Atkinsons travel ball organization is a fraud. This is what it means. Fruitland FORCE (Free Organization Representing Children Exclusively). There is nothing FREE about it. He makes everyone think it is free and then he sticks them with a bill and threatens to take them to collections. Look on his website, that is what the acronym stands for FREE and it is not free.
These are the facts and no lies here. Look into it yourself if you don't believe me.
I agree with 10:15 AM, ask the Lewis brothers what happened to them.
ReplyDeleteOk lets talk about the Lewis brothers, They came in last year and set there radar on two people. One brother came to a game and held a game up by getting the umpire's attention and started verbally attacking him. The other went after Bill Adkins. I wondered why they would do this. As I researched why I found out that the first brother went after the umpire because he used to get PAID to cut the grass at Fruitland. There are old receipts to prove this, and the umpire was awarded the contract at one point. Truth be told I'm not sure what's up with the other brother and his issue with Bill, but his uneducated attacks against him are truly unwarranted. Personal feelings toward someone does not change the fact that Bill does bring a lot of money into the community. On another note someone in the Lewis family also was PAID for years to operate the concession stand, So it seems to me that the Lewis family profited from the volunteer organization? So if anyone is/was ripping off anyone it was them.
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