In recognition of travel and tourism’s tremendous economic, social and cultural impact in Marion County, the Marion Area Convention and Visitors Bureau recently hosted a breakfast in the Guthery Room at OSUM, to honor those who work to foster tourism in the Marion area.
Hospitality industry, business professionals and volunteers attended the annual breakfast, which recognized the many helping hands of the CVB, and those on the frontline of customer service to the thousands of visitors to the Marion community in the past year.
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. All of the nominees are very deserving and can be called winners without the award. They were nominated because someone observed them doing their jobs well. They each received a “Marion, Ohio – You’ll Feel Right At Home” star pin from the Marion Area Convention and Visitors Bureau that commemorated their nomination.
This year’s nominees were:
- The entire crew of the Marion Area Transit System
- Cheryl Van Voorhis, Administrative Legal Assistant for Attorney Todd Anderson
- Anna May Schwaderer, curator of the Edward Huber Museum
- The staff of Custom Professional Accounting
- Kasey Yager, server at Perkins Restaurant
- Andrew Swartz, owner Andrew Pastries
Unfortunately only one winner can be named, and for the 2011 Customer Service Star Award, Anna May Schwaderer of the Edward Huber Museum was named the recipient.
Nomination comments Anna May garnered include: “You will never hear Anna May say “no I can’t” when asked at the last minute to take someone through the museum outside regular hours. She is accommodating because she loves the interaction and opportunity to teach people about Edward Huber and all he did for Marion.”
“I can’t say enough about how much we truly appreciate the efforts of all of the many frontline people. They are really the ones who leave customers and visitors alike feeling they have had a great experience here,” said Diane Watson, Director of the Marion Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The Marion Area Convention and Visitors Bureau also awarded Mike Perry the Community Ambassador Award. As a nominee, he has been instrumental in highlighting Marion to the historic car groups within the State of Ohio. Because of his keen interest in vintage cars he has encouraged many to make Marion a destination for their car groups. He has done this through emails, face to face visits at shows and even correspondence. Mike makes weekend trips to other car shows for an opportunity to distribute info on Marion and the summer car show.
The tourism breakfast also shared the seventh year of the Marion’s Amazing Treasures playing card and the historical value of learning about what is in your own back yard.
The Marion Area Convention and Visitors Bureau mission is dedicated to promoting the Marion area’s many historic and unusual attractions, with the purpose being to bring economic growth to the Marion area.
Tourism dollars spent by travelers produce a ripple effect that is felt through every aspect of the Marion area and beyond. 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
Photo: Marion Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Director, Diane Watson, Anna May Schwaderer the 2011 Customer Service Star recipient, Mike Perry the 2011 Community Ambassador recipient with Van Creasap the Marion Area CVB board chair.
About Marion Online News
