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Travel Oregon Announces Recipients of 2006 Tourism Industry Achievement Awards

Posted on: Friday, 4 May 2007, 18:00 CDT

SALEM, Ore., May 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Travel Oregon is proud to announce this year's recipients of the Tourism Industry Achievement Awards, presented at its awards celebration last month at the Governor's Conference on Tourism in Sunriver, Ore.

For more than 20 years, the annual awards have recognized people and organizations across the state that go the extra mile to benefit the tourism and hospitality industry in Oregon. Nominated by their peers, the award recipients are selected as outstanding examples of professionals who, by virtue of their vision, perseverance and dedication, are a credit to the industry.

Oregon's highest recognition is the Governor's Tourism Award. This year's Governor's award was presented to Jonathan Nicolas of Cycle Oregon in honor of the vision he had 20 years ago for a bicycle tour that would showcase the state, especially the scenic beauty and attractions of rural Oregon.

"Jonathan has contributed years of leadership, intelligent planning and commitment to Oregon's tourism and hospitality industry in his role with Cycle Oregon," said Todd Davidson, CEO of Travel Oregon. "His work has resulted in a stronger appreciation for our state, especially our rural destinations, as cyclists have come from all over the world to experience them. With Jonathan's leadership, Cycle Oregon continues to reinvest precious financial assets in support of rural communities," he said.

The 2006 Tourism Industry Achievement Awards were announced in these categories:

The Creative Tourism Development Award, recognizing innovative programs, promotions or products created by a business, person, group or region in Oregon that demonstrate a new way of thinking about the visitor industry, was presented to the Oregon Chocolate Festival (Karolina Wyszynska of Ashland Springs Hotel accepting) and Oregon Crafted, a program of the Oregon Council for Business Education, accepted by Joan Shea, Executive Director. The Volunteer Achievement Award, recognizing a volunteer or volunteer program that gives their time freely and exemplifies how volunteerism contributes to the development of tourism and hospitality in Oregon, was presented to Marian and Mike Soderberg of Cruise Hosts in Astoria. The Cooperative Partnership Award, recognizing the efforts of a group of tourism industry organizations that partner together to create and promote a successful tourism program or product which is greater than the sum of its parts, was presented to Hells Canyon Scenic Byway Cooperative, accepted by Janet Dodson, Marketing Coordinator. The Tourism Industry Awareness Award, recognizing a business, community or organization which has demonstrated "what's good for the tourism and hospitality industry is good for Oregon," was presented to The Anchor Pier of Newport, accepted by owners Fran and Don Mathews, and Wildhorse Resort & Casino/Tamastslikt Cultural Institute in Pendleton, accepted by Michelle Liberty, Sales and Marketing Manager. The Gene Leo Memorial Award, established in 1994 to honor the late Gene Leo-an enthusiastic man who revered Oregon's natural beauty, loved her people and enjoyed the outdoors with gusto-this award recognizes outstanding contributions and efforts for a tourism-related activity or attraction in Oregon that specifically focuses on the state's natural beauty or outdoor recreation. It was presented to the Tillamook Forest Center, accepted by the Center's Director, Jim Quiring, and Doug Decker, Project Manager for the Oregon Department of Forestry.

The Oregon Tourism Commission, dba Travel Oregon, works to enhance Oregonians' quality of life by strengthening economic impacts of the state's $7.9 billion tourism industry. Visit http://www.traveloregon.com/ for details.

Travel Oregon

CONTACT: Michelle Godfrey, +1-503-378-8861, ormichelle@traveloregon.com

Web site: http://www.traveloregon.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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