(Spokane, WA, May 13, 2010) - In recognition of National Travel and Tourism Week, the Spokane region's finest local businesses and individuals were honored this afternoon at the 11th Annual Inland Northwest Tourism Awards hosted by the Spokane Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The Business Award Winners 
 
Festivals & Events Award
2010 U.S. Figure Skating Championships

Attraction Award
Silverwood Theme Park

Near Nature. Near Perfect. Award
ROW Adventures

Spirit of the Inland Northwest Award
Spokane Transit Authority

In the Bag Award
Aveda

Top Table Award
Wild Sage American Bistro

The Individual Award Winners

White Glove Award
Bo Bohannon, Northern Quest Resort & Casino

Silver Spoon Award
Wendale Ellis, Carl's Jr. Restaurant (on 3rd Avenue)

First Impression Sales Award
Dana Divine, The Davenport Hotel and Tower and Hotel Lusso

First Impression Retail Sales Award
Colleen Yellin, The Davenport Hotel and Tower

First Impression Hotel Award
Nathan Gray, The Davenport Hotel and Tower

First Impression Transportation Award
Jules Dossou Azatassou, Daj Taxi Cab

Heart of the House Award
Ryan Wilson, Spokane Public Facilities District

Rising Star Award
Linda Yeomans, Historic Preservation Planning & Design

Hospitality Volunteer of the Year
Tracy Niles, Star U.S.A.

Tourism Professional of the Year
Barb Beddor, Star U.S.A.

 

The CTA Star Award Winner
Dan Hall, Downtown Spokane Partnership

This is the first-ever Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA) Award given in Spokane. Dan Hall is automatically entered into a national competition to determine the CTA of the Year. The winner of the national award will receive a Crystalline Star Plaque as well as two airline tickets to anywhere American Airlines flies in the continental U.S. and two nights lodging!

Jack Lucas Named
ELITE Award Winner

As the Best of Broadway Series has just announced their 24th season, Jack Lucas' name has become synonymous with the successful series, which brings to Spokane national touring productions from New York City.

The Spokane Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau Board of Directors has named Jack Lucas, president of TicketsWest and WestCoast Entertainment, as the 2010 Extraordinary Leadership in Tourism Excellence (ELITE) Award winner. He will be honored at the Inland Northwest Tourism Awards May 13.

"It certainly is humbling," said Lucas of the honor.

Lucas started in the industry more than 32 years ago as an usher for Entertainment Services Association (E.S.A.), the company that provided ushering and security services for the Spokane Convention Center, Spokane Coliseum (Spokane Arena) and the Spokane Opera House (INB Performing Arts Center). He was quickly promoted to an event supervisor position, while also working for Local 93, the stage hands union that moves shows in and out of the entertainment facilities. He would dress in jeans and a t-shirt to load in a show, then change into a suit and tie to be the event supervisor for the show and then change back to the jeans and t-shirt at the conclusion of the event to move the show out.

"Looking back at it all, I wouldn't change a thing. My experiences in those early days have been so valuable," said Lucas adding he has done everything, including selling hotdogs, moving in the show, selling tickets and deciding what shows should and can play Spokane.

His humble beginnings led to an opportunity to lead the Best of Broadway series in Spokane, developing it into one of the strongest Broadway series in the country.

"TicketsWest sold 100,000 tickets in 1987. That same year, CATS was our very first show," said Lucas. "In 2009, TicketsWest processed close to 10 million tickets and WestCoast Entertainment presented productions from Anchorage, Alaska to Spokane, Washington."

Lucas initially was hired by Don Barbieri to head up TicketsWest and later transitioned also into WestCoast Entertainment. Lucas says Barbieri told him, "You can be as entreprenuerial as you want,as long as it makes good business sense, but remember, God hates a coward!"

The ELITE Award replaces the former Lifetime Achievement Award.

First Night Spokane Earned
Best Dressed Table Award

Congratulations to First Night Spokane for earning the most votes for the Best Dressed Table Award at the 11th Annual Inland Northwest Tourism Awards.

The Judges

The winners, were selected by a panel of judges who volunteered hours of time to pour over the nominations and select the best.

• Greg Birchell, BHW1 - Advertising - Design - Interaction
• Julie Cohen, Holiday Inn Express - Valley
• Wendi Haught, Framework Meetings & Destinations
• Linda Hagen-Miller, Freelance Journalist
• Erin Miller, Longhorn Barbecue
• Elizabeth Mills, River Park Square
• Cheryl-Anne Millsap, Freelance Journalist
• Rick Souza, Design Events
• Donna Tikker, Washington Restaurant Association
• Tate White, Greater Spokane Incorporated

Spokane Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau thanks each of the judges for their valuable time.

Our Sponsors

Many thanks to all of our sponsors for the Inland Northwest Tourism Awards. Without their support, this event would be possible, but not nearly as much fun.

Venue and Reception Sponsor:
Kalispel Tribe of Indians
Northern Quest Resort & Casino

Premier Sponsor:
Coeur d'Alene Casino
Red Lion Hotels Corporation
Spokane Tribe of Indians

Major Sponsors:
Churchill's Steakhouse
Landmark Restaurants (Frank's Diner, The Onion)

Libation Sponsors:
Arbor Crest Winer Cellars
Coeur d'Alene Brewing Co.
Debuting Papa's Pale Ale, the golden ale brewed especially for the 100th anniversary as the birthplace of Father's Day

 

About Spokane Regional CVB
The Spokane Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau generates economic growth for Spokane County by successfully marketing the Spokane Region as the destination for conventions and leisure travelers from around the world. The proof is in: Visitors to Spokane County spent an estimated $832.5 million in 2008, providing jobs for nearly 10,110 residents and generating $61.9 million in non-resident tax dollars collected in Spokane County.*

*Figures provided by the Washington State Department of Commerce Tourism Office in the September 2009 Dean Runyan Associates report for the year ending 2008.