The Christmas and holiday season was perfectly accented with the chairman of the Carlsbad Convention & Visitors Bureau hosting the annual, "Volunteer Recognition and Appreciation Party," on Dec. 8 at the Museum of Making Music.
Guests included Councilmembers Ann Kulchin and Norine Sigafoose, and Mayor Pro Tem, Matt Hall.
"The doors could of this center could not remain open, serving the public, if we didn't have these folks in there, every day," said Patrick Fearn, board chairman.
2006 marked the best year ever for visitor traffic walking into the visitor information center, with 16,353 individuals who recorded their visit for directional assistance and other information. That is a 32 percent increase from 2005.
As each volunteer was personally recognized with the aggregate hours worked, other statistics were shared with guests. In 2006, volunteers worked 2,835 hours and worked 955 volunteer shifts, which equates to $42,525 in service contributed. This year also saw 3,189 e-mail, 552 letter and 3,507 phone calls inquiries handled by the center; 2,265 supplier and 1,831 lodging referrals given; 12,502 direct response advertising leads helped to generate the mailing out of 15,377 visitor guides.
One of the key highlights of the evening was the recognition of Dick and Betty Morel for their service. The pair was awarded the bureau's annual "Shining Star Award," for exemplary customer service.
"This has become a rather coveted sort of recognition," Fearn said. "It's fitting that we clearly identify each year an individual who has clearly distinguished themselves above the rest."
Past recipients have included lifelong Carslbad resident, Cynthia McPherson, weekend stalwart, John Seufert, and Mary Fischer.
Fearn's leadership of the organization from 2003-2006 was recognized. Afterwards, newly elected board officers were introduced, including, Nancy Nayudu of Pelican Cove Inn, chairwoman; Kim Akers of West Inn & Suites, vice chair; Randy Chapin of Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort, treasurer; and Carolyn Grant of the Museum of Making Music, secretary.
Before the evening ended, the Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort was presented the 2006 Marketing Co-Op Partner of the Year Award. Noting their participation in a host of marketing efforts that includes partnering with the bureau at consumer shows and taking advantage of numerous magazine opportunities, Randy Chapin and corporate sales director, Caroleann Petz, received the award and thanked the bureau for helping them to stretch their limited marketing resources.
With another successful year under their belt, the board, staff and volunteers look forward to another great year and thank everyone in Carlsbad who helped the organization.
"This is a great way to be leaving," said Fearn. "The bureau is and continues to be in good hands."
Guests included Councilmembers Ann Kulchin and Norine Sigafoose, and Mayor Pro Tem, Matt Hall.
"The doors could of this center could not remain open, serving the public, if we didn't have these folks in there, every day," said Patrick Fearn, board chairman.
2006 marked the best year ever for visitor traffic walking into the visitor information center, with 16,353 individuals who recorded their visit for directional assistance and other information. That is a 32 percent increase from 2005.
As each volunteer was personally recognized with the aggregate hours worked, other statistics were shared with guests. In 2006, volunteers worked 2,835 hours and worked 955 volunteer shifts, which equates to $42,525 in service contributed. This year also saw 3,189 e-mail, 552 letter and 3,507 phone calls inquiries handled by the center; 2,265 supplier and 1,831 lodging referrals given; 12,502 direct response advertising leads helped to generate the mailing out of 15,377 visitor guides.
One of the key highlights of the evening was the recognition of Dick and Betty Morel for their service. The pair was awarded the bureau's annual "Shining Star Award," for exemplary customer service.
"This has become a rather coveted sort of recognition," Fearn said. "It's fitting that we clearly identify each year an individual who has clearly distinguished themselves above the rest."
Past recipients have included lifelong Carslbad resident, Cynthia McPherson, weekend stalwart, John Seufert, and Mary Fischer.
Fearn's leadership of the organization from 2003-2006 was recognized. Afterwards, newly elected board officers were introduced, including, Nancy Nayudu of Pelican Cove Inn, chairwoman; Kim Akers of West Inn & Suites, vice chair; Randy Chapin of Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort, treasurer; and Carolyn Grant of the Museum of Making Music, secretary.
Before the evening ended, the Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort was presented the 2006 Marketing Co-Op Partner of the Year Award. Noting their participation in a host of marketing efforts that includes partnering with the bureau at consumer shows and taking advantage of numerous magazine opportunities, Randy Chapin and corporate sales director, Caroleann Petz, received the award and thanked the bureau for helping them to stretch their limited marketing resources.
With another successful year under their belt, the board, staff and volunteers look forward to another great year and thank everyone in Carlsbad who helped the organization.
"This is a great way to be leaving," said Fearn. "The bureau is and continues to be in good hands."