Albany Chef’s Food & Wine Festival, Key Bank, and 17 Albany Ambassadors recognized at ACCVB Annual Meeting
Published:
CONTACT:
Schuyler Bull, Marketing Manager
Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Phone: 518-434-1217 x 203
Email: sbull@albany.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 19, 2012
Albany Chef’s Food & Wine Festival, Key Bank, and 17 Albany Ambassadors recognized at ACCVB Annual Meeting
ALBANY, NY – The Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACCVB) held their annual meeting on Thursday, April 19, 2012, at The Desmond Hotel & Conference Center. It was not only a wrap-up of the year, but also an opportunity to recognize the outstanding work of multiple Capital Region organizations and the 2011 Albany Ambassadors.
The ACCVB Hospitality Excellence Award is the only award developed solely to recognize excellence in travel and tourism in the Capital Region. This year’s recipient, the Albany Chef’s Food & Wine Festival, has been instrumental in the growth and prosperity of the local hospitality industry, while also bringing about awareness and supporting multiple arts-based organizations in the Capital Region.
This year, the ACCVB also bestowed a Special Recognition Award upon Key Bank for their support in funding educational programming for school-aged children at the Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center. Jeff Stone, Regional Vice President of Key Bank, accepted the award.
Albany Ambassadors are volunteer meeting planners who provide the Capital Region with new and diverse opportunities to host meetings, reunions, conferences, and sporting events. This marks the 19th year that the ACCVB has honored an exceptional group of Albany Ambassadors. To receive the designation of Albany Ambassador, one must be an event or committee volunteer and the meeting must realize in excess of 100 room nights.
The 2011 Albany Ambassadors were responsible for bringing over 8,000 delegates and visitors, as well as over 6,600 room nights to the Albany area throughout 2011.
The 2011 Albany Ambassadors are:
- Ms. Barbara Burkett, NYS Convention Chairwoman, Beta Sigma Phi
- Ms. Deana Wood, Meeting Coordinator of the National Association of Postmasters of the US, NY Chapter
- Ms. Bernie Rouse and Trish Marki, National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association
- Investigator Robert Appleton, NYS Police Forensic Investigation Center
- David and Mary Beth Vail, NY District Key Club
- Mr. Charlie Fitzpatrick, NYS Elks Bowling Tournament
- Ms. Charlotte Hasselbarth, Moderator of Presbyterian Women in the Synod of the Northeast
- Ms. Terri Walsh and Mr. John Hornberger of the American Mensa Society
- Mr. Ralph Leonard Jr., Past President and Life Member of the NYS Volunteer Firefighter’s Bowling Association
- Sister Angelina Moore, Grand Matron of the Rose of Sharon Grand Lodge
- Mr. Charles Huff, Director of the International Association of Milk Control Agencies
- Mr. Michael Mastrianni Jr. of the NYS Volunteer Ambulance and Rescue Association
- Mr. George Leveille of Albany Power Lacrosse
- Mr. John Kmack with GymRat Challenge Basketball
Local businesses who chose to host a meeting or event in Albany may gain complimentary services through the ACCVB’s Host it Here program, while also serving as an economic engine for the area.
About the ACCVB:
The Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. was established in 1976 to promote the civic and commercial progress of the community through increased development of conventions and tourism. ACCVB currently represents more than 300 member businesses and assists each year in hundreds of regional meetings. ACCVB also operates the Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center, Henry Hudson Planetarium, and the Albany International Airport Information Center. For more information, call 518-434-1217 or 800-258-3582 or visit www.albany.org.
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