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The Kitsap Peninsula Visitor & Convention Bureau (KPVCB) recently held its annual awards banquet, where it recognizes those local people involved in bringing economic development to the Kitsap Peninsula through tourism.
The Bob Morrissey Lifetime Tourism Award is given each year to an individual who has made a significant contribution to Kitsap tourism. The nominee must live on the Kitsap Peninsula, and been involved in tourism for more than 10 years. This is the most prestigious award that the KPVCB presents. The 2007 award was presented to Mary Ann Huntington.
Huntington has been active in the community for many years, and been involved in the promotion and production of numerous events, and served on various boards that have tourism promotion as their core mission. As a member of the Bremerton Historic Ships Association board she was instrumental in developing the USS Turner Joy as a uniquely successful tourist attraction in Bremerton. She served as an officer of the Pacific Coast Congress of Harbormasters and Port Managers and has been instrumental in promoting boaters to visit all local marinas, as well as successfully attracting boating related meetings and conferences to the local area.
Huntington was a gubernatorial appointment to the Washington State Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation, and as a result of her efforts, dozens of recreation sites throughout Kitsap have benefited from IAC funds and will continue to attract visitors to the community for decades to come.
For the past 18 years she served as a commissioner for the Port Of Bremerton, where she consistently advocated for tourism as an economic benefit to Kitsap. She was instrumental in expanding and upgrading the Port Orchard Marina, which draws thousands of boaters each year, plus played a role in keeping the Chris Craft Rendezvous in Port Orchard.
The Innkeeper of the Year award goes to the owner or operator of a lodging facility on the Kitsap Peninsula, and who is committed to the tourism industry.
This year’s winner was Linda Thurrott, general manager of the Best Western Bainbridge Island Suites. She has a long history as an hotelier in Kitsap and has been associated with several on Bainbridge Island. The nominating submittal reads; “She is the most caring person and cares deeply about the comfort of the guests at all times. She is a very hard worker and is always concerned about her employees. She is very involved in the success of tourism in our community.”
The Visitor Information Center Volunteer of the Year Award honored two people for 2007. Both are longtime volunteers at the visitor center in Port Gamble.
Dale Bliss has been volunteering with the KPVCB since 2001. He always greets visitors with a smile and is always willing to lend a helping hand around the center.
Joyce Olson has been helping out since 2005. She very rarely takes a day off even during the slow winter months. On top of the normal greeter duties, Olson reads all the information requests that are e-mailed in and mails out the proper brochures for each person; she also helps with filing and other small tasks.
The Tourism Promoter of the Year Award can be given to an individual, organization, business, or a community. It can be given for an effective advertising campaign, or to a project that utilizes partnerships to accomplish tourism goals. The 2007 award was also bestowed upon two recipients.
Bill Archer is president and owner of Northwest Electric Boats. He brought the boats to the Poulsbo Marina a little over two years ago, and has built a steadily growing business. He will be bringing several new boats to the Bremerton waterfront this summer as an additional area attraction.
The other recipient of the Tourism Promoter of the Year is not a person, but a publication. The award was presented to West Sound Home and Garden Magazine and its Founding Editorial Director, Dee Coppola. In its third year of publication, it has grown to a 164+ page, full color quarterly that has regional circulation, with over 20 percent of it outside of the Kitsap Peninsula. With outstanding quality writing and photography, the magazine features destinations, events, lifestyle, attractions, businesses, architecture, glorious gardens and much more.
Publisher Wet Apple Media makes the magazine available to local Realtors to include in their relocation and newcomer packets, as well as a lure piece that Harrison Hospital uses as a recruitment tool to bring in medical personnel. They are also available to boaters using both the Port Orchard Marina and the Bremerton Marina.
The Hospitality (Front-liner) Award went to Shannon Chatfield of the Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort. The nomination reads; “She always smiles, greets guests and co-workers with a warm and can-do attitude. She exemplifies clearly superior customer service. As a front desk supervisor and guest services agent, she is tops.”
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