Tops in tourism
Gov. Markell bestows tourism honor on UD’s William Sullivan
2:39 p.m., April 4, 2011--William A. Sullivan, managing director of the Courtyard Newark-University of Delaware and a UD alumnus, received the Roy Klein Hall of Fame Award during the 2011 Governor’s Delaware Tourism Conference, the Delaware Tourism Office announced Friday, April 1.
The conference, held at the Dover Downs Hotel and Casino Thursday, March 31, brought together more than 150 tourism industry leaders, businesses and affiliates and offered educational sessions to discover new ways to navigate through industry trends and challenges, effectively compete for event bids and enhance the Delaware destination brand.
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Sullivan, who also teaches in UD’s Department of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management (HRIM), received the award in recognition of his long-term contribution and leadership in the Delaware tourism industry.
"I am honored to be recognized by the tourism industry leadership in Delaware and by Gov. Markell,” Sullivan said. “Tourism is a leading business in Delaware, and I am fortunate to be running a great hotel and teaching the future hospitality leaders in our HRIM program here at UD. I will continue my work to improve the business and the economic impact on our state."
“We are so pleased to see Bill Sullivan get this deserved recognition from Gov.Markell,” said Robert Nelson, chair of the HRIM department. “Bill is a true champion of Delaware tourism. He is a terrific role model for our students in his capacity of managing director of our Courtyard by Marriott hotel and as an adjunct HRIM instructor.”
Delaware Gov. Jack Markell and cabinet secretary Alan Levin were keynote speakers at the conference.
“It’s great to see the tourism industry come together to seek new, inventive ways to support each other and grow the tourism business in Delaware,” Markell said. “This industry is working whole-heartedly to attract, welcome and serve Delaware visitors, which benefits businesses throughout the state and enhances the quality of life of Delawareans.”
“The tourism and travel industry touches all aspects of products and services in the First State and serves as a marketing tool to attract new businesses to Delaware,” added Levin, director of the Delaware Economic Development Office. “Through collaborative industry efforts and leveraged resources, we are making progress in growing the tourism industry in Delaware.”
The governor also presented two other awards for outstanding contributions to the tourism industry. The Host Our Coast initiative received the Tourism Award of the Year for its creative approach to electronic marketing, which resulted in a successful regional media campaign; and the Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitors Bureau received the Tourism Economic Impact Award for contributing $1.8 million dollars to New Castle County through its transportation incentive program.
The Delaware Tourism Office, a division of the Delaware Economic Development Office, promotes tourism and economic growth in Delaware. For more information, visit the official Delaware Tourism website at www.visitdelaware.com or call toll-free 866-284-7483.
Article by Kathryn A. Marrone