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.
Pictured (L-R): Todd Van Geluwe, Joshua Sanders, Bill Atkinson, Priscilla Timken.
18 comments:
Partner of the Year: Bill Atkinson of Fruitland Baseball
You'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.
Bill Atkinson taught my son for years. There always seems to be drama when it comes to Little League. Anybody can file a complaint for anything. Congratulations Bill you deserve recognition for all the years you have dedicated to youth baseball. As far as taking people to collections if they don't pay. If you sign up for something and you have to pay money toward a uniform and you do not pay it because you're a deadbeat you should be sent to collections.
Refuse to play baseball at Fruitlyn Little League if he's a coach? Get real. That is absolutely not the truth. Bill has done as much for Little League in the area as anyone. He has spent years helping you. If you honestly believe he is scamming peopleand getting rich off of them maybe you should look it where he lives and what car he drives. What would your kids want to bench warmers or something? Didn't make his team? Good job Bill.
1:09 Your a jerk and idiot that doesn't have a clue about Fruitland Force.
Anonymous said...
Bill Atkinson taught my son for years. There always seems to be drama when it comes to Little League. Anybody can file a complaint for anything. Congratulations Bill you deserve recognition for all the years you have dedicated to youth baseball. As far as taking people to collections if they don't pay. If you sign up for something and you have to pay money toward a uniform and you do not pay it because you're a deadbeat you should be sent to collections.
May 27, 2016 at 2:20 PM
Is that you Billy? Shouldn't you be working?
So much for the children! Thief.
Anonymous said...
Refuse to play baseball at Fruitlyn Little League if he's a coach? Get real. That is absolutely not the truth. Bill has done as much for Little League in the area as anyone. He has spent years helping you. If you honestly believe he is scamming peopleand getting rich off of them maybe you should look it where he lives and what car he drives. What would your kids want to bench warmers or something? Didn't make his team? Good job Bill.
May 27, 2016 at 2:23 PM
One of Bill's few friends or himself.
What the heck is Fruitlyn Little League?
Speaking of bench warmers, if your kid plays for Fruitland Fraud, I mean Fruitland Force then he isn't ever going to make a real travel team. If he does he would be a bench warmer while they take your money and laugh at you.
all of these parents think their kids are going to get scholarships. Here is the truth. If your kid is good enough he will shine in High School. There is no need to pay for your kid to play travel ball. Little League is fine to hone their skills, then they transition to high school. Your kid aint gonna be a pro.
1:09 (Bobby) you tried once to do this before. You also got shot down. If anyone has any question about what happens at Fruitland Force or Fruitland Little League come out this weekend and see young ones smiles and playing ball. Yes, another tournament that bring $$$ to our area... For tournament info www.fruitlandbaseball.com Check it out!
No Vince Lewis this is Bill Atkinson. I am not going to stoop to your level but you need to stop.i am completely non profit and do not get a penny from little league or the FORCE organization or its children. I give baseball to children for little to no cost. Every dime goes back to the children. We just purchased Redmen and rebuilt field 8 in Fruitland for our FORCE children to practice on year round. No other organization does that. We also have 43,000 square foot building biggest training facility on the Eastern Shore. Also give the children 13 baseball tournament for free.Every dime goes back to the children. Again you say bad stuff about me and my organization for some reason that last year the little league remove you and your brother out of Little league for this same thing, some people just do not learn. I step down from the Little league after 22 years so because of my health and i did not have to deal with people like you. That still was not enough for you too stop. Only one that you hurt was the children I hope you are proud of yourself. You need to grow up and also Fruitland baseball has brought nine million dollars to Wicomico County, you should say thank you.Besides for the thousands of children Forceand I has helped, it is also helping the economy. What have you done besides sending emails and bashing a great organization or anyone you can. I guess one day you will be smart enough to understand the truth and become a man, until than I wish you nothing but the best. Coach Bill
Say what you want. Bill has helped the county many times when other tournaments have left them hanging and he keeps people informed of the goings on.
The civic enter should hire him full time and toss Brian Workman back to the bank he came from to play with numbers for he surely does that better than oversee the Henry Parker Sports Complex.
Don't bring Brian in this. He is a good man and does a good job and we are lucky to have him
I will say a prayer for you Vince Lewis, I can't imagine what has happened in your life to make you such a bitter person. My husband, Bill Atkinson however has been busy answering his calling in life. He has been helping children since the day I met him. You cannot say anything that will take away his passion, baseball and making sure any child that wants to play can! For the record, Bill's van is on its last leg so we may be buying a vehicle soon with the money we EARN working 40 hours a week! Please leave us alone, when you attack Bill you attack our entire family. Again, I will pray you find peace in your life one day.
Seriously Over this Vince had nothing to do with the negative comments on here about Billy. He was driving a car at the time these posts were posted I know for a fact, I was sitting right next to him. Seriously who ever is setting him and Bobby up like this needs to stop. Put your name on the comments own up to it. This is insane, glad billy got an award happy he is making money for the county and kids. Vince and Bobby are over it and perfectly fine coaching their kids they are glad to be off the boar. I will show anyone our Gps who wants / needs proof Vince had nothing to do with these comments. Wow sounds like billy has made more people angry th n what he thought but that is not our fault. Wow is all I can say stop dragging Vince and Bobby into your problems and just do what you do best, that is coach baseball
10:18 PM don't worry FF has money set aside for that van on it's last legs.
"I step down from the Little league after 22 years so because of my health and i did not have to deal with people like you."
You did not resign from Fruitland Little League because of your health. You stepped down because Little League International said that you had to resign or Fruitland Little League would not get their Charter back. You and your Fruitland Force are the reason that Fruitland Little League lost their Charter through Little League International. They are now on probation because of you. If you resigned from something because of your health it would have been Fruitland Force which is far more stressful. Quit lying and quit getting your few buddies to defend you. You just made a major lie on this post and it is a fact.
Poor Bill. Can you please prove how you single handedly brought 9 million dollars to Wicomico County. Instead of trying to flatter yourself put your money where your mouth is.
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