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Rod Stoner receives Tourism Lifetime Achievement Award

CHARLESTON – Rod Stoner, retired vice president of food and beverage for The Greenbrier and The Greenbrier Resort and Club Management Company, today received Tourism’s highest award, the Oshel Craigo Lifetime Achievement Award, for his exemplary service to the state’s tourism industry. Gov. Joe Manchin III presented the award at the annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism at the Charleston Marriott.

Throughout his career in the hospitality industry, Stoner has developed programs at The Greenbrier and within the state's hospitality industry that will add value to the tourism industry for years to come. At The Greenbrier, he encouraged a culinary team that introduced contemporary flair to traditional favorites. He enthusiastically embraced the Pro-Start program of the West Virginia Hospitality Education and Training program, providing mentors for local teams and opening the resort's doors to the annual culinary contest. As the first president of the West Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association, Rod encouraged a partnership of industry members from the lodging, destination and attractions businesses to work together to build a stronger tourism industry. As a leader for the WVHTA foundation, he is a champion for the programs that encourage youth to enter the culinary industry and to move ahead with their studies with scholarships and mentor programs.

The award is the highest honor given by the West Virginia Tourism Commission and honors individuals whose support for the tourism industry over many years has helped the industry to grow and become an important economic development tool for West Virginia. Persons nominated for this award must demonstrate continued and long-term leadership, benevolence or contributions to the growth and success of the entire state’s tourism industry.

“Rod Stoner has made generous contributions to the state’s tourism industry throughout his career at The Greenbrier and as a tireless volunteer in industry programs,” Tourism Commissioner Betty Carver said. “He truly deserves this recognition.”

The Governor presented Jerry Henderson of Buckhannon with the Tourism Professional of the Year award and Cal Hite, retiring superintendent of the New River Gorge National River, with a distinguished West Virginian award.

The Tourism Professional of the Year award recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution that enriches West Virginia’s tourism industry through outstanding job performance, leadership in the tourism industry or development and improvement of tourism facilities and activities.

As the proprietor of A Governor's Inn, Jerry Henderson is an outstanding example of West Virginia hospitality. Her inn has received national acclaim. Through her involvement in the West Virginia Hospitality Education and Training program, many others know her as a teacher who emphasizes the importance of knowing your job, your business and your community. She is a tireless volunteer working with the West Virginia Division of Tourism, the local Convention and Visitors' Bureaus and the West Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association.

Cal Hite is the retiring superintendent of not one, but three national park sites in southern West Virginia. Since 2001, Cal has been responsible for New River Gorge National River, Gauley River National Recreation Area and Bluestone National Scenic River. A West Virginia native and a graduate of West Virginia University, Hite began his career with the National Park Service at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. There, he did interpretive programs about the U.S. Armory and gave black-powder musket firing demonstrations. He has served at national parks across the country. At the New River Gorge National River, he has been recognized for his work in protecting the gorge from development threats and took a lead role in communicating about the significance of the park’s resources.

The awards are part of Stars of the Industry program that each year recognizes the best in West Virginia tourism promotion, growth and media coverage. Additional Stars of the Industry categories and first place winners were announced this afternoon.

This year, the Division of Tourism introduced a new awards program, Partners in Progress which recognizes the work of industry partners who participate in the agency’s Matching Advertising Partnership Program. Winners for these awards were chosen during the conference where all attendees were able to vote for their choices.

INDUSTRY AWARDS

The Mountaineer Award – Elisse Jo Goldstein-Clark, Elkhorn Inn, Landgraff. Recognizes innovative marketing that uses the media to gain attention for an event or destination with limited resources.

The Spirit of West Virginia Award – Pendleton County Chamber of Commerce heritage travels CDs and American Heritage Music Hall, Ronceverte. Recognizes community efforts that promote tourism development that enhances community pride while preserving the state’s heritage and beauty.

The Mountain State Award – Wild, Wonderful MountainFest Motorcycle Rally, Morgantown. Recognizes an event or facility that stands above the rest for excellence in programming, distinctiveness and impact on the state’s economy or image.

West Virginia Community Tourism Development Award – Lewisburg Downtown Business Association. Presented to a community or organization that has enhanced its local resources through cooperative, imaginative and innovative development efforts.

MEDIA AWARDS – EDITORIAL

Best Print Articles
1. Men’s Journal Staff: “Ten Coolest Mountain Towns,” Men’s Journal Magazine and Vicki Smith: “One cool mountain town: National magazine recognizes Davis, W. Va.’s unique offerings,” The Associated Press, multiple publications
2. Gideon Lewis-Kraus: “The Water Rush,” Oxford American
3. Leonard Adkins: “New River Gorge Trails,” Blue Ridge Country Magazine
Honorable Mention – April Vitello: “Toy collector turns hobby into a museum of memories,” CNN.com and The Associated Press multiple publications

Best Print Photography or Layout
1. Thomas Fletcher – “Spring in the Mountain Park”
2. Steve Blackwell: Pocahontas County 2006 Visitors’ Guide
Honorable Mention – Jeanne Mozier and Steve Shaluta: Wonders of West Virginia”

Best Broadcast
1. Ben Calvert: “Road Kill goes to the Travel Channel,” Travel Channel

MEDIA AWARDS – ADVERTISING

Best Print Advertising
1. Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau, Bryan Boyd Creative Group, "Try us on for size"
2. Class VI River Runners, Stonewall Marketing Group, Class VI Charleston Gazette ad
3. Greater Parkersburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, Stonewall Marketing Group, "Houdini"

Best Collateral Piece
1. Class VI River Runners, Stonewall Marketing Group, Class VI 2006 Catalog
2. Snowshoe Mountain, “Make a date . . . 2006” brochure and calendar
3. Tamarack, Tamarack Motor Coach booklet
Honorable mention: Allegheny Highlands Trail map and brochure

Best Web Site
1. Tour Morgantown, Greater Morgantown Convention and Visitors Bureau, www.tourmorgantown.com
2. Mountainstate Association of Bed and Breakfasts, www.wvbandb.com
3. Oglebay Resort, Wheeling, www.oglebay-resort.com
Honorable Mention: Visit Pendleton, Pendleton County CVB

Best Web Advertising
1. Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau
2. Pocahontas County Convention and Visitors Bureau

Best Overall Advertising Campaign
1. Greenbrier County CVB and Stonewall Marketing Group

PARTNERS IN PROGRESS AWARDS

Printing (visitors’ guides, brochures, inserts)
Pocahontas County Convention and Visitors’ Bureau

Print Advertising
Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors’ Bureau

Television Advertising
Charles Town Races and Slots

Radio Advertising
Charles Town Races and Slots

Co-operative Advertising
Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors’ Bureau

Special Advertising
North American River Runners, Inc.

Best Overall Advertising Program
Stonewall Resort

For a complete list of winners for the awards program and for downloadable photos of this year’s award winners, visit www.callwvanews.com.

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