Winners Named at Gov’s Conference on Tourism & Travel

Hilton Head Island, S.C. – Horse racing, bass fishing and fence mending were recognized as the state’s top travel and tourism honors were presented on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at the 44th annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism & Travel.

Set at the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa, the conference, titled “Sustainability: Tourism’s Timeless Trend,” focused on sustainable efforts in the tourism industry and featured leading experts in consumer trends and marketing.

During this year’s awards luncheon:

Rodney Grant, a maintenance technician at Springmaid Beach Resort, received the Hospitality Employee of the Year Award. His nomination from the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce said, “Rodney is a dedicated individual not only to his job but to the family of Springmaid Beach Resort and to the guests that visit. He is outstanding with attention to detail and willing to do all jobs, from assisting a guest with their room key to helping to build a fence.”

The Bundy Award for contributions to the travel and tourism industry in rural South Carolina was presented to the Marion du Pont Scott Colonial Cup Steeplechase Races held in Camden. The fall event draws more than 80,000 people and is a major national event for its sport as well as a key fundraiser for the Kershaw County Medical Center.

The Governor’s Cup went to the Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board for its work with the Forrest Wood Cup, the major national bass tournament championship event held on Lake Murray and at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center last August. According to the board’s executive director, Miriam Atria, the event generated a total economic impact in the area of more than $46 million.

Students in hospitality and tourism studies at colleges across the state received scholarships from the Fred Brinkman Memorial Fund, an effort sponsored by the South Carolina Association of Tourism Regions (SCATR). This year’s winners were Chris Wheeler of the College of Charleston, Maddie Stoddard of Clemson University, Lindsay Fertig of Coastal Carolina University, Jett Douglas of the University of South Carolina, Renata Dos Santos of the Culinary Institute of Charleston at Trident Technical College, Oxana Rotmistrova of Horry-Georgetown Technical College, Adam Hall of Greenville Technical College, Chesnee Kathleen Fly of USC-Beaufort.

Middleton Place received a special Sustainability Award. One of the nation’s leading historic landmarks was recognized for its extensive, leading-edge efforts in modern sustainability, conservation and eco-friendly practices. That includes protecting scenic view shed along the Ashley River and placing thousands of acres of woods and swamp into conservation easements, expanding its nature-based recreational opportunities, and maintaining membership in major “green” hotel, wildlife and other nature groups.

The late John Curry, a key figure in the sustainable development of Hilton Head Island in his leadership roles with the Sea Pines Company, Heritage Foundation and other civic and business ventures, also was recognized in a special tribute by Director Chad Prosser of the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism.