Tourism Society Honors Morgan

By Paul Huggins, Staff Writer, The Decatur Daily

The Southeast Tourism Society selected the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau for the “Shining Example” Award for Convention and Visitors Bureau of the Year.
Shining Example awards recognize outstanding contributions to the advancement of tourism in the 12 Southeastern states. The Decatur bureau’s award was for organizations with less than a $1 million budget.
Criteria for the award include overall performance, marketing accomplishments and creativity in design, development, and implementation of projects from June 1, 2008, to May 31, 2009.
While 2008 saw a downturn in the economy, the local bureau ended its fiscal year with another record in lodging taxes.
For the fiscal 2008, the city collected more than $867,000, a 10 percent increase from the previous year.
The bureau introduced new products and services, including a Geocaching Passport to entice the emerging geocaching market to explore Morgan County, Welcoming All Visitors Exceptionally educational seminars for tourism professionals in the county and the Decatur Volksmarch, a 5K and 10K non-competitive fitness march through the city’s two historic districts.
Partnerships with surrounding counties also attracted high-profile sporting tournaments, which generated additional revenue for Decatur and Morgan County.
Tami Reist, bureau president, said recognition by such a prestigious organization was an honor.
“This award recognizes the many accomplishments of the CVB team as well as our commitment to visitors and our community,” she said. “Receiving this accolade is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the board of directors led by Norman Roby and each CVB staff member.” The bureau staff includes Squee Bailey, sales coordinator; Sharon Holder, office manager; Lori Boger, group sales director; Kayla Riggs, special events director; Delores Powell, housing director; and Carolyn Cameron, weekend visitors assistant.
The Southeast Tourism Society has members representing state travel offices, attractions, hotels, motels, resorts, convention and visitors bureaus, airlines, bus companies, car rental agencies, newspapers, magazines and other travel-related organizations.