CRVA Partners in Tourism Award Winners Announced
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Jan. 26, 2022) – The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) has announced the winners of the 15th Annual Partners in Tourism Awards sponsored by Carowinds, which returned to the Charlotte Convention Center for the 15th time following a hiatus due to the pandemic. Approximately 400 of Charlotte's top hospitality and tourism leaders were in attendance to recognize the contributions and resilience of the front-line individuals and organizations that have spearheaded the recovery and growth of the region's tourism industry.
In 2019, visitors spent a record $7.8 billion in the Charlotte region including $6 billion in Mecklenburg County alone, marking its tenth consecutive year of growth in visitor spending. Despite the pandemic, which changed the landscape of the tourism industry globally, the region remained the top visitor destination in North Carolina. In summer 2021, as travel began to resume, Charlotte's hospitality and tourism recovery surpassed not only 2020 levels, but also exceeded pre-pandemic levels in many instances, with leisure travel demand and food and beverage sales leading the charge.
"It is always an honor to celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of our partners, but the strength and perseverance that Charlotte's tourism businesses have demonstrated these past two years--in the face of challenges that shook our industry to its core--deserves distinct recognition," said Tom Murray, Chief Executive Officer of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. "The recovery effects we began to witness last year show promise for the future of Charlotte's visitor economy for years to come, and it's a privilege to recognize the individuals and businesses who have made that possible."
Winners were nominated by CRVA employees and partners. Awards presented at the event included: Destination Impact Award, Small Business of the Year, Queen City Amplifier, Outstanding Ambassador, Unsung Hero, Hospitality Professional of the Year, Local Champion and Young Professional.
The 2022 Partners in Tourism Award winners are:
Destination Impact Award
Greg and Subrina Collier
Owners, Leah & Louise and Uptown Yolk; Founders, BayHaven Restaurant Group
Small Business of the Year
Southern Blossom Florist
Queen City Amplifier
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
Chef Alyssa's Kitchen
Outstanding Ambassador
Robert Hannigan, Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel
Unsung Hero
Marco Heeter, McColl Center for Art + Innovation
Adelina Naranjo, Omni Charlotte Hotel
Hospitality Professional of the Year
Helen Edwards, Spark By Design
Local Champion
Jay Trini Patel, The UPS Store
Young Professional
Mikayla Mendels, Key Signature Entertainment
Additional photos of the Partners in Tourism Award winners can be found here.
About the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority
The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) works to deliver experiences that uniquely enrich the lives of our visitors and residents. Through leadership in destination development, marketing and venue management expertise, the CRVA leads efforts to maximize the region’s economic potential through visitor spending, creating jobs and opportunities for the community. Brands supported by the CRVA include the Charlotte Convention Center, Spectrum Center, Bojangles Entertainment Complex, NASCAR Hall of Fame, Charlotte Regional Film Commission and Visit Charlotte in conjunction with the region’s destination marketing brand. For more information, visit charlottesgotalot.com.
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