The following is the media release from the Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau.

Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau Marked National Travel and Tourism Week by Celebrating Charlotte Harbor 9th Annual Tourism Unity Awards Luncheon Honored Industry Partners

CHARLOTTE HARBOR & THE GULF ISLANDS, Fla. (May 14, 2010) – Charlotte Harbor’s fruitful waters support habitats diverse with marine life and recreational activities as fishing, kayaking and sailing. Covering 270 square miles with 830 miles of shoreline, the harbor is Florida’s second largest estuary and the crown jewel of Charlotte County’s tourism attractions. As such, the 9th Annual Tourism Unity Awards Luncheon hosted by the Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau on May 14 was themed, “There’s Something Fishy in Charlotte Harbor,” which highlighted the harbor’s ecological treasures and recreational opportunities. Tourism leaders and industry achievements were recognized in Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center’s Hibiscus Hall which was transformed into a virtual underwater experience simulating the harbor.

The following awards were presented:

Promotional Award – Honors an individual whose efforts consistently contribute to the successful promotion of Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands as a tourist destination. Ms. D.J. Cutler

Bio:  During her six years with Palm Island Resort, she worked tirelessly on behalf of the resort and combined innovative ideas, vibrant energy, and a strong work ethic in pursuing performance excellence. She has been a consistent and reliable partner with bureau promotional efforts, and her personal dedication – as a former member of the Tourist Development Council – has been a valuable asset in helping to promote our region as a visitor destination.

Community Service Award – Honors an organization whose community service efforts consistently contribute to the success of Charlotte County tourism and to our quality of life. Cultural Center of Charlotte County

Bio: The organization offers a variety of activities, each of which contributes to its mission of enhancing the educational, recreational, physical and mental well-being of the citizens and visitors of Charlotte County. The facility provides activities, events and a retail operation which reflects an infectious camaraderie with its 600-strong volunteer spirit, which is the heart and soul of the operation. This organization’s outreach extends to all areas of our community and has for nearly 5 decades as it celebrates its 49th anniversary in 2010. It has been said that ”it takes a village” and that is exactly what this organization embodies – a village of caring, committed administrators, staff, teachers, mentors and volunteers who nurture the needs of our citizens and visitors.

Tourism Development Award - Honors an organization whose efforts contribute to the development and enhancement of regional tourism promotion. Olde Englewood Village Association

Bio: Olde Englewood Village on Lemon Bay offers visitors a quaint real Florida experience.  Established in 1896, the Village offers upscale art galleries, specialty shops, antiques and collectibles, relaxed dining, theatrical productions and waterfront parks. In an ongoing effort to enhance the area of Englewood central to tourism, the Olde Englewood Village Association has undertaken a comprehensive development program; promotes the area’s natural and social history; is a proactive catalyst for other community groups to create a variety of events, parades, fairs and festivals which benefit area businesses and enhance the area’s quality of life; and has developed a strategic plan to encourage visitation, increase area awareness, protect environmental resources and leverage tourism assets


Event Development Award - Honors an individual whose efforts contribute to the creation of a special event designed to generate awareness and economic impact for Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands. Brian Gleason

Bio: With participation from 120 sailors in 65 sail craft from across Florida, the country and the Cayman Islands and sanctioned by the United States Sailing Association, February 2010’s Inaugural Charlotte Harbor Regatta was a success. The regatta was a collaborative effort among all boating organizations; yacht clubs; The Charlotte Sun; Fishermen’s Village as the host site; the Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau; Charlotte County Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department; local safety and law enforcement units; area hotels; and numerous and generous businesses, volunteers and sponsors.

Behind the scenes there was one individual who launched the concept, and was so dedicated to developing this event that he committed his own funds, invested hundreds of planning hours and was relentless in his effort to galvanize the entire community from day one. All organizers shared one thing to make the Charlotte Harbor Regatta successful, a passion for Charlotte Harbor and the belief it deserves to be recognized as one of the greatest sailing venues in the world.


2010 Annual Achievement Award – Honors an individual whose outstanding, life-long commitment to his craft has contributed significantly to tourism and will have a lasting impact for generations on those who seek to learn about the history of Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands. Vernon Peeples

Bio:  Mr. Peeples first developed an interest in Florida history at the tender age of ten when he had the opportunity to get to know a number of Punta Gorda pioneer settlers who initially inspired his lifelong avocation. When he was eleven, he went to Tallahassee as a page in the House of Representatives for both the 1941 and 1943 sessions where he spent time doing research in the State Library. Following a career in city administration including a stint on the Florida Board of Conservation, he resumed his early legislative path and served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1982-1996. His personal library contains several thousand Florida books, photographs, documents and newspapers, which over many years, he has generously shared with numerous individuals as well as cultural, historic, and research organizations including the Tourism Bureau.

He has hosted a weekly radio program on Florida history on WGCU-FM for more than eleven years and also lectured at Florida Gulf Coast University, the University of South Florida, Florida A&M University and Florida State University. He has published numerous articles on Florida history in the Florida Historical Quarterly and myriad other journals. The library at the Charlotte County campus of Edison College is named for our esteemed honoree. His lifelong commitment to research is legendary and reflects his prolific knowledge of the social, political and economic history of Florida, Punta Gorda and Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf Islands.

“Nearly 300,000 people visit Charlotte County each year and generate approximately $313 million in director and indirect expenditures, making tourism one of Charlotte County’s strongest revenue producers,” said Becky Bovell, Director of the Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau, “That’s a significant impact on Charlotte County’s economy and much of the impact can be attributed to the abundant ecological and recreational opportunities of Charlotte Harbor. The harbor plays a significant role to the economic impact and quality of life for Charlotte County citizens which is why we themed this year’s luncheon accordingly.”

Mosaic was the event’s sponsor; Jimmy Dean, publisher of Harbor Style magazine, served as the event’s emcee; and Capt. Ralph Allen, owner of King Fisher Fleet, a fishing and sightseeing boat tour operation based out of Punta Gorda’s Fishermen’s Village, was the luncheon’s guest speaker. Capt. Allen has owned and operated King Fisher Fleet since 1985. When not fishing, he contributes his time and services to various committees and organizations including President of the Florida Outdoor Writers Association, Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council’s Reef Fish Advisory Panel, Charlotte County Tourist Development Council, Charlotte County Sea Grant Advisory Panel, Charlotte Harbor Reef Association, and Fishermen’s Village Merchant’s Association. He is a weekly columnist for the Waterline boating and fishing section of the Charlotte Sun-Herald newspaper, Southwest Regional Editor of Florida Sportsman magazine, contributor to Harbor Style magazine, and author of A Tackle Box Guide to Common Fishes of Southwest Florida, published by the University of Florida.

Each year, the Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau conducts marketing, sales and advertising campaigns to increase awareness of and visitation to Charlotte County. In addition to generating economic contributions, the Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau is also focused on developing soft adventure or eco-tourism, a low-impact industry enabling the county to preserve the invaluable natural resources that contribute to its ecological health, distinguish the area and draw visitors.

About National Travel and Tourism Week
Presented by the U.S. Travel Association, National Travel and Tourism Week is a collective effort to promote the power of travel through customized events in communities nationwide. The goal is to enhance the country's economy, security and perception, and recognize the cultural and social benefits created by travel and tourism. Next year’s National Travel and Tourism Week is scheduled for May 7-15, 2011.

About Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands
Located halfway between Tampa and Naples on the Southwest Florida Gulf coast, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands is a charming collection of nine coastal communities surrounding the state’s second largest harbor. Florida’s premier year-round eco-tourism destination, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands offers a pristine unspoiled beauty that has served as the backdrop for seven major feature films as well as countless memorable vacations.  A haven for outdoor enthusiasts, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands has been named to SAIL magazine’s “10 Greatest Places to Sail in the United States,” ranked by Golf Digest as “Third Best Place to Live and Play Golf in America,” and rated by MONEY magazine as one of the “Best Places to Live in the South.” The city of Punta Gorda was named in September as one of “Top Ten Places to Retire Healthy” by U.S. News & World Report. Englewood, Fla. was just named as #2 of the Top Ten emerging travel destinations in the U.S. by TripAdvisor.com.   

For information about area events, activities and attractions, contact the Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau, 18501 Murdock Circle, Suite 502, Port Charlotte, FL 33948; 941-743-1900, or call toll free at 1-800-652-6090 for a free Visitor’s Guide; or visit the Web site at www.CharlotteHarborTravel.com.


Contact:
Jennifer Huber
Tourism Public Relations Manager
Tel: (941) 743-1900
Charlotte Harbor Visitor
& Convention Bureau
18501 Murdock Circle, Suite 502
Port Charlotte, FL 33948
941-743-1900, FAX: 941-743-2245
www.CharlotteHarborTravel.com
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