News for the Hospitality Executive |
WASHINGTION, DC - The Destination & Travel Foundation honored Roger Dow, President & CEO of the US Travel Association with the prestigious Spirit of Hospitality award to a crowd of 1,000 industry professionals at the 18th Annual Foundation Dinner and Dream Auction. Held 23 February 2011 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in downtown Washington DC, the Spirit of Hospitality is awarded annually to key industry players who contribute significant time and effort in promoting and advocating for travel and tourism. "As the recipient of this year's Spirit of Hospitality award, Roger Dow embodies the passion, drive, and dedication required for the success of an entire industry," commented Timothy Schneider, 2010-2011 Chair of the Destination & Travel Foundation and President & CEO of Schneider Publishing Company, Inc. "He not only emerged as the US travel industry's chief spokesman, he has done so in a way that has as its central and abiding element his hospitable and enthusiastic attitude." A long time supporter of travel, Dow has worked tirelessly to advocate on behalf of the industry, becoming an embodied voice for the power and positive impact that travel and tourism have on individuals, communities, and global economies. More than any other individual, Dow was instrumental in the passage and implementation of the Travel Promotion Act, legislation that will help attract millions of new visitors to the United States, create thousands of new jobs, and pay dividends to the travel industry for generations to come. Educating the public and political figures on the impact of the travel industry, Dow was and continues to be a swift and unfailing advocate. "I feel very lucky because I stumbled into this great industry," noted Dow. "I think of the future we have and we are for this county. I thank you and I thank my family not only my personal family but this family, the travel industry family. I thank you for your support because we are a unique family and we can't be duplicated by any other industry. We are the travel industry." Sponsored by the Branson/Lakes Area CVB, this year's event featured an energetic performance by all American singer-songwriter Chubby Checker, who popularized the Twist dance style with his 1960 cover of Hank Ballard's R&B hit "The Twist". Destination & Travel Foundation, formerly DMAI Foundation, is a combined effort of the U.S. Travel Association and Destination Marketing Association International. The mission of the Destination & Travel Foundation is to enhance the destination marketing and travel professions through research, education, visioning and development of resources and partnerships for those efforts. www.destinationtravel.org |
Contact: Kristen Clemens, +1.202.835.4214 Vice President of Marketing and Communications [email protected] Andrea Cates, +1.202.835.4205 Manager of Marketing and Communications [email protected] |