On Oct. 9, the Carlsbad Convention and Visitors Bureau will host the Carlsbad Tourism Industry Recognition & Scholarship Awards Luncheon at the La Costa Resort and Spa.
In addition to awarding a number of college scholarships to aspiring students who have chosen to pursue studies in hospitality and tourism management, the event also will honor industry professionals and businesses that have achieved excellence. Showcasing this event as the keynote speaker will be Caroline Beteta, who serves as president and CEO of the industry-led California Travel and Tourism Commission and is national chair of the Travel Industry Association.
The commission is a nonprofit organization created to market California as a premier travel destination and to increase the state's share of tourism-related revenues. Beteta also serves as the deputy secretary for tourism under the California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency.
“We are so thrilled to have one our country's top leaders in the tourism and travel industry coming to Carlsbad to be a part of our October awards and recognition event,” said Nancy Nayudu, chairwoman of the bureau's board of directors. “The bureau worked hard to bring in a headliner for this and I believe her presence will greatly add to this important milestone program.”
Also appearing with Beteta will be San Diego County 5th District Supervisor Bill Horn, who together with Nayudu, will present the first-ever college scholarship awards.
In addition to monies received from the county, the bureau will provide additional monies to award cash scholarships to students selected from a competitive draw of applicants. The bureau hopes to increase the amount of scholarships awarded through sponsorships and ticket purchases to the October event.
Also during the luncheon, awards will be presented to industry professionals and businesses that have exhibited excellence. One award of special note will be the Tony Howard-Jones Lifetime Achievement Award.
Longtime residents of Carlsbad will remember Howard-Jones as an iconic figure who is best known for his love of community and his commitment to an industry that was only beginning to come into its own nearly 25 years ago. We are truly honored to have the opportunity to bestow this award to an individual who has made a significant contribution to Carlsbad's tourism industry.
The final selection of award winners will be made after nominations have been submitted for review by a panel of industry professionals and Carlsbad residents. Award nomination forms are available online at www.visitcarlsbad.com.
For more information about the Carlsbad Tourism Industry Recognition & Scholarship Awards Luncheon, including scholarship sponsorship opportunities and table and ticket prices, call (760) 434-6093 or send an e-mail to [email protected].