The state honored six distinguished North Carolinians today for their significant contributions to the success of North Carolina’s tourism industry. Larry Gustke, John and Faye Cooper, Betty and David Huskins, and Reyn Bowman received the 2009 Winner’s Circle awards from Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco during the annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism & Hospitality at the Raleigh Convention Center.
“These people are visionaries and leaders who have selflessly given their time and talent for many years. Their work has enhanced our tourism industry and, therefore, enhanced economic development across the state,” said Crisco. “In a very real sense, they have helped put North Carolina on the map for millions of visitors, and we thank them for their work and dedication.”
The 2009 winners are:
Larry Gustke, an associate professor at N.C. State University, has conducted tourism-related research for the past 20 years for the Commerce Department’s Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development as well as travel industry partners. Gustke has produced many reports for state, county and local agencies. Most recently, he produced and published N.C. Travel Tracker, a Web-based site containing tourism industry statistics and trends. (www.nccommerce.com/en/TourismServices/PromoteTravelAndTourismIndustry/TourismResearch/NCTravelTracker)
John and Faye Cooper re-opened a landmark, the Mast General Store in Valle Crucis, in 1980 and helped permanently establish the 125-year-old store as a tourism destination. They also opened locations in Boone, Waynesville, Hendersonville, and Asheville. The Mast Store has worked with many others to help revitalize downtowns in western North Carolina to attract both locals and visitors. In addition, John Cooper helped found the High Country Host organization and is currently chairman of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. In 2002, the Coopers were among 40 North Carolinians selected as North Carolina Tourism Leaders of the 20th Century.
Reyn Bowman helped jump-start the award-winning Durham Convention and Visitors Bureau in 1989. Under his leadership, the Durham CVB became the first destination marketing organization in North Carolina accredited to new international standards for community marketing, receiving an unprecedented 11 exemplary citations. Bowman is a past presidential delegate to the White House Conference on Travel and Tourism, a two-term president of the Destination Marketing Association of North Carolina and currently serves on the board of directors for Destination Marketing Association International.
Betty and David Huskins together represent 60 years of pioneering initiatives in North Carolina's tourism industry. Betty Huskins has served as both chair and vice chair of the N.C. Board of Travel and Tourism, while David Huskins served as a founding director of the board. Betty led the effort for passage of Congressional legislation and federal funding for the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, and she created MountainSouth USA, a multi-state initiative that helped brand western North Carolina internationally. As a lobbyist representing a number of tourism businesses, David has advocated for and promoted key legislative initiatives to help grow the state's tourism industry, including the Rural Tourism Development Grant Program, ABC Tourism Establishment and ABC Tourism Resort legislation. Since 1975, Betty and David have owned and operated Linville Falls Lodge & Cottages and Spear's BBQ & Grill in Linville Falls.
The Winners Circle Award originated in 2004. Previous recipients include Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson; Grandfather Mountain owner Hugh Morton; J. Craig Madison, president and CEO of Asheville’s Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa; and former golf champion Peggy Kirk Bell, owner of Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in Southern Pines; and the late and noted film and television producer, Frank Capra Jr., who helped make North Carolina into an important center for film, television and commercial production.
The travel and tourism industry plays a major and vital role in North Carolina’s economy. The industry provides jobs for more than 190,000 workers across the state, and in 2007, visitors to North Carolina spent $16.5 million