Media release: The Annual Hospitality Heroes Awards and People's Choice Awards were first presented by the Cartersville-Bartow County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) in 2005. The CVB felt the need to say 'Thank You' to some of the key people who had contributed to the local tourism industry's growth throughout the past decade.
The inaugural award recipients were also bestowed the lasting legacy of having subsequent awards named in their honor. "In the years to come we will always remember the contributions of these fine honorees," explains CVB Executive Director Ellen Archer.
Categories presently awarded include:
The Entwisle Award for Lifetime Service in Tourism
The Bentley Award for Economic Development in Tourism
The Kordecki Award for Contribution to the Arts
The Grant Award for Community Service with a Smile
Additional award categories are the Distinguished Volunteer Award, the Hotelier of the Year Award and the Shining Star Award. The inaugural award recipients were chosen by the CVB Board of Directors. With award criteria in place, the CVB called for nominations from community leaders in 2006. "Obviously, the Cultural Arts Alliance is the appropriate body to designate the recipient of the Kordecki Award for Contribution to the Arts; the Economic Development Authority is best suited to designate the Economic Development in Tourism Award, and the local government officials are logical choices to nominate the Community Service with a Smile recipient, so those entities are who we called on for nominations," Archer said. The Lifetime Service and Shining Star awards recipients were chosen by the CVB Board of Directors.
The People's Choice Awards were conceived to honor the opinions of local residents and visitors that know the best that the Bartow County community has to offer. The Best Restaurant, Best Shoppe and Best Attraction are chosen annually by online voting at www.VisitCartersvilleGA.org.
AWARD CRITERIA
The Entwisle Award for Lifetime Service is Tourism is presented by the CVB Board of Directors to honor a resident for their efforts to foster the development and environment for tourism in Bartow County. Likewise, the Distinguished Volunteer Award is presented by the CVB Board of Directors to honor those who volunteer their time in support of tourism on an annual basis.
The Bentley Award for Economic Development in Tourism is nominated by the Joint Economic Development Authority. Criteria established by the CVB demands that the recipient will have had a laudable influence on job creation, capital investment and increased tourism expenditures in Bartow County through the development of tourism product. The recipient could be anyone who has developed or expanded a restaurant, shop, attraction, hotel, etc., or has had a demonstrable influence on the development thereof.
Nominations for The Kordecki Award for Contribution to the Arts are solicited from the Cultural Arts Alliance to honor a recipient whose works and passion have fostered a sustained support for, and public access to, the performing and/or visual arts in Bartow County, Georgia.
The Grant Award for Community Service with a Smile is intended to honor an employee of any municipality in Bartow County, or of Bartow County Government, who exemplifies "service with a smile," in his or her dealings with the public. The interactions of governmental nominees with the public must exemplify the utmost in customer service and congeniality, thus casting a favorable impression of Bartow County on visitors and residents alike.
Formerly known as the Hotelier of the Year Award given to hotel owners or general managers, the scope of this honor changed in 2012 with a shift to recognize successful lodging properties within Bartow County and its municipalities. Criteria for this award chosen by the CVB Board of Directors includes occupancy rates, increases in revenue, industry recognition, and many other factors.
The Shining Star Award recipient may be a Bartow County resident or organization whose excellence in a positive endeavor has earned national recognition, thus generating a favorable light on Bartow County, Georgia. This honor is also chosen by the CVB Board of Directors.
Finally, the People's Choice Awards for Best Restaurant, Best Shoppe and Best Attraction are chosen annually by online voting at www.VisitCartersvilleGA.org. To be eligible for voting, restaurants and shoppes must be local, non-franchised businesses within the limits of Bartow County and its municipalities. The same geographical criteria applies to Best Attraction.
INAUGURAL HONOREES
- The Entwisle Award for Lifetime Service in Tourism – Named in honor of Frank Entwisle who dedicated almost 20 years as a constant force guiding the tourism industry in Cartersville. Entwisle served was first named to the Cartersville Tourism and Industry Council on January 3, 1985 by Mayor John Dent, and continued to serve the Board when this organization restructured forming the Cartersville Tourism Council. In 1990, Entwisle was instrumental in the formation of the joint City-County Cartersville-Bartow County Tourism Council, known today as the Cartersville-Bartow CVB. Entwisle served as Treasurer of the CVB from January 1991 to January 2004. The CVB's sustained growth is credited greatly to Entwisle's sound financial stewardship. His legacy of leadership and financial responsibility continues to strengthen the CVB's mission of fostering economic growth through visitor spending.
- The Bentley Award for Economic Development Through Tourism – Honoring Bob Bentley, former Executive Director of the Etowah Education Foundation. Under Bentley's direction, the foundation advanced from administering scholarships to open the first Georgia Youth Science and Technology Center (GYSTC), create the Teacher Resource Center, and establish a partnership with Floyd College that led to the Cartersville Campus of Georgia Highlands College. In addition, Bentley conceived and initiated the Scholarship Sharing Program growing the local grant pool awarded by the foundation from $49,500 to almost $150,000 in 2005. The Foundation's cultural contributions include starting the Bartow History Center, acquiring and renovating the Grand Theatre, and acquiring and enhancing the Weinman Mineral Museum. Thus, Bentley's stewardship of the Etowah Education Foundation fostered the evolution of the family of attractions known today as Georgia Museums Inc., also the parent organization of the Booth Western Art Museum.
- The Kordecki Award for Contribution to the Arts – Named in honor of Don Kordecki. Technical Director of the Grand Theatre and lovingly known as "the father of theatre in Cartersville." He organized "The Dramateurs Community Theatre" here in 1963, followed by "The Red Top Mountain Players," and, with the help of his wife Ollene, "The Pumphouse Players" in 1975. Kordecki has been in more than 100 productions since he first took the stage in 1948 in a high school production of The Mikado in his native Chicago. An actor, director, producer, voice talent, set designer, lighting and technical director and more, Kordecki has been active on Marietta and Canton stages, as well as Cartersville. He is a Past President of the Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Bartow County; Past Chairman of the Cartersville Downtown Development Authority, and presiding Chairman of the Cartersville-Bartow County Convention Center and the Cultural Arts Alliance. Kordecki served on the advisory board for the Council of the Arts under Governor Carl Sanders and the Georgia Film and Video Advisory Board under Governor Joe Frank Harris, and is a Past President of the Georgia Citizens for the Arts.
- The Grant Award for Community Service with a Smile – Honoring Jimmy Grant, a member of the public works department for the City of Cartersville for 21 years. Those who know Jimmy recall his wonderful smile as he goes about his job of keeping our beautiful city clean. Co-workers often say "Have a Jimmy Grant Day" to wish each other a great day. Grant is also a valued member of Cartersville's Wal-Mart team and personally assists "Santa Claus" in his work each year. He is a vital part of the tourism team in Cartersville.
RECIPIENTS
The Entwisle Award for Lifetime Service in Tourism
2005 – Frank Entwisle
2006 – Marion Lacey
2007 – Sam Smith
2008 – Gwen "Granny" Marler
2009 – Ken Akins, former Superintendent Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site
2010 – Not awarded
2011 – Not awarded
2012 – David G. Archer, Sr.
The Bentley Award for Economic Development through Tourism
2005 – Bob Bentley
2006 – Carmike Cinemas
2007 – Barnsley Gardens Resort – Julian Saul and Michael Meadows
2008 – Samir Shah, Hampton Inn and Hilton Garden Inn
2009 – Georgia Museums, Inc. – Tellus Science Museum
2010 – Not awarded
2011 – Bartow County Government and municipalities City of Cartersville, City of Adairsville, City of Kingston, City of White, City of Emerson and City of Euharlee for SPLOST investment in creating the Clarence Brown Conference Center
2012 – Seth Hopkins
The Kordecki Award for Contribution to the Arts
2005 – Don Kordecki
2006 – Margaret Mines
2007 – Rose and Lucky O'Lague
2008 – Mina Harper
2009 – Louis Tonsmeire, Sr.
2010 – Not awarded
2011 – Jean Belew
2012 – George & Jonalyn (posthumously) Bew
The Grant Award for Community Service with a Smile
2005 – Jimmy Grant, City of Cartersville
2006 – Judy Jones, City of Cartersville
2007 – Linda Everett, Bartow County
2008 – Freida Lance, City of Adairsville
2009 – Not awarded
2010 – Not awarded
2011 – Not awarded
2012 – Richard Osborne, City of Cartersville
Hotel of Excellence (formerly Hotelier of the Year)
2005 – Jay Patel, Days Inn – Cartersville
2006 – Penny Miller, Hampton Inn – Cartersville
2007 – Joe Honeycutt, Holiday Inn – Cartersville
2008 – Kishor "Kenny" Patel, Quality Inn & Suites, Comfort Inn & Econo Lodge, Cartersville
2009 – Terry & Kim Terrell, America's Best Inn Cartersville
2010 – Not awarded
2011 – Sam Shah, Hilton Garden Inn – Cartersville
2012 – Hilton Garden Inn & Suites – Cartersville
Distinguished Volunteer Award
2005 – Lyn Maret and Dot Myers, Cartersville-Bartow County CVB
2006 – Radell Nalls, Adairsville Welcome Center
2007 – Patty Wallenburg, Friends of Etowah
2008 – Michele Sims, Host City Committee – Miss Georgia USA Pageants
2009 – Damon Kirkpatrick, Friends of Red Top Mountain
2010 – Not awarded
2011 – Monique Vidoli, Cartersville Grand Gardeners
2012 – Jody Grizzle
Shining Star Award
2005 – Cledus T. Judd, for Musical Accomplishment
2005 – Wayne Knight, for Theatrical Accomplishment
2006 – Ronnie Brown, for Athletic Accomplishment
2007 – Cartersville Senior League World Series Champions
2007 – Braves' Manager Bobby Cox
2008 – Benjamin Walker Davis, for Theatrical Accomplishment
2009 – Not awarded
2010 – Not awarded
2011 – Not awarded
2012 – Justice Robert Benham
People's Choice Awards
Best Restaurant in Bartow County
2005 – D. Morgan's
2006 – Appalachian Grill
2007 – Hearth & Harvest
2008 – D. Morgan's
2009 – Johnny Mitchell's Smokehouse
2010 – Johnny Mitchell's Smokehouse
2011 – Johnny Mitchell's Smokehouse
2012 – Antonino's Italian Grotto
Best Shoppe in Bartow County
2005 – Write on Main
2006 – c.a.n.o.p.y.
2007 – Periwinkle
2008 – Periwinkle
2009 – Periwinkle
2010 – GiGi's Hidden Treasures
2011 – Periwinkle
2012 – Spring Place Pottery & Artists' Gallery
Best Attraction in Bartow County
2005 – Booth Western Art Museum
2006 – Booth Western Art Museum
2007 – Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site
2008 – Red Top Mountain State Park
2009 – Tellus Science Museum
2010 – Tellus Science Museum
2011 – Tellus Science Museum
2012 – Booth Western Art Museum
CARTERSVILLE-BARTOW COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU HISTORY
Local tourism promotion began with the Cartersville Tourism and Industry Council in 1978. This organization restructured in the early 1980's as the Cartersville Tourism Council. In 1990, Tourism Director Ellen Archer proposed the formation of the jointly-funded Cartersville-Bartow County Tourism Council, known today as the Cartersville-Bartow County CVB.
Since opening the destination marketing organization offices and Visitor Information Center on Cartersville's Main Street in January 1991, the CVB has fostered a 300% increase in lodging tax revenue within Bartow County. In 2002, the CVB relocated its Cartersville offices and Visitor Information Center to the 1854 Railroad Depot at Friendship Plaza in downtown Cartersville. For almost a decade (September 2001-June 2010), the CVB also operated the Adairsville Welcome Center in the restored W&A Railroad Depot in Historic Adairsville.
In September 2010, the CVB vacated both historic depots, consolidated its visitor information centers, and relocated to the new Clarence Brown Conference Center. The CVB now operates the Clarence Brown Conference Center, as well as the Official Georgia Regional Visitor Information Center located inside the center at 5450 State Route 20 in Cartersville, accessible from I-75 Exit 290.
The CVB proudly markets Cartersville, Adairsville and all of Bartow County, Georgia to leisure, group, and business travelers. For information call 770-387-1357, or toll-free 800-733-2280. Visitors may learn more online at www.VisitCartersvilleGA.org.
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