In recognition of 25 years of marketing Marion, Ohio as a destination, the Marion Area Convention and Visitors Bureau recently hosted a breakfast in the May Pavilion of the Palace Theatre. The effort honored those who have diligently worked to foster tourism in the Marion area.
The breakfast brought together many individuals who have been associated in some way with the CVB for the past 25 years. Individuals from the hospitality industry, business professionals, marketing partners, as well as past board members and volunteers were represented.
To mark the 25th Anniversary, special recognition honored Mary Ann Klingel, the Marion Area Convention & Visitors Bureau’s first director. Mary Ann was recognized with resolutions from the Marion County Commissioners and the Mayor’s office commemorating May 21, 2010 as Mary Ann Klingel Day.
Mary Ann Klingel was instrumental in planting the seeds of tourism that continue to flourish and contribute to the economic growth of the Marion community. “We want to make this a special day for Mary Ann who was the first Marion Area CVB director. As a result of her actions 25 years ago we continue to market Marion as a destination,” states Watson.
Each year the CVB presents the Customer Service Star Award to one group or individual in the hospitality and service industry that best exemplifies customer service. This year, in light of the 25th Anniversary, the Marion CVB’s Customer Service Star recognition goes to the owners/manager and employees of the area hotels. These individuals are the ones who work hard on the front lines to make first impressions and provide customer service. Collectively, they were the one entity that has always supported the CVB through the collection of bed tax.
Each hotel received an engraved star paperweight and the employees a star pin from the Marion Area Convention and Visitors Bureau to commemorate the recognition.
Those recognized were:
America’s Best Value Inn, Sami Desai
Comfort Inn, Rose Daniels
Country Inn & Suites, Yatrini Patel
Fairfield Inn, Mary Hamby
Holiday Inn, Bruce Jenkins
Stay Inn, Shailendra Garg
The Marion Area Convention and Visitors Bureau also awarded the Community Ambassador Award to the late George Brown. Brooks Brown accepted the honor on behalf of his father.
“We all knew George Brown as a pillar of our community who had the drive and determination to make things happen. George’s popcorn popper collection turned into the Wyandot Popcorn Museum. Through his efforts, he brought literally thousands of visitors to Marion’s doorsteps and that of the museum, thus being an ambassador to the community,” states Diane Watson. The Community Ambassador Award is awarded to the person or event that brings visitors into our community or to someone who has been an ambassador for the community.
All guest attending the breakfast received a “You’ll Feel Right At Home” reusable grocery bag as a memento of the occasion.
The Marion Area Convention & Visitors Bureau wishes to remind everyone that tourism dollars spent by travelers produce a ripple effect felt through every aspect of the Marion area. Visitor spending strengthens Marion’s economy by creating jobs, supporting local businesses from gas stations to retail stores, and creating greater tax revenues in support of our community.
The Marion Area Convention and Visitors Bureau mission for the past 25 years has been dedicated to promoting the Marion area’s many historic and unusual attractions, with the purpose being to bring economic growth to the Marion area.
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