(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - The Ketchikan Visitors Bureau presented its four standing awards and honored a longtime board member during its annual banquet on Friday, February 21, 2014. 

Len Laurance, a founding member of the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau and board member since incorporation in 1976 was recognized for 36 years of service to the organization.  Laurance has served as board chair and marketing chair numerous times and has been awarded the KVB’s Golden Totem Award and is the only KVB member to have earned Lifetime membership status.  Laurance also helped to establish the Southeast Alaska Tourism Council to promote the Inside Passage region of Alaska, and is a past chair and lifetime member of the Alaska Visitors Association, the predecessor to today’s Alaska Travel Industry Association.

Laurance was recognized during the evening by U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich, Alaska State Commissioner of Community, Commerce and Economic Development Susan Bell, Borough Mayor Dave Kiffer and former City Mayor Bob Weinstein.

The KVB’s standing awards and winners for 2013 include:

The Rainbird Award - “presented to the outstanding individual, group or business who has volunteered their time and talents to further the efforts of the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau and the visitor industry in Ketchikan” was presented to Steve Corporon. 

Corporon was recognized for his assistance throughout the planning and execution of the B1-2 rehabilitation, particularly in light of the removal and replacement of the KVB’s building and construction of the new visitor center. Corporon also works cooperatively with the KVB to help promote the area, distributing visitor guides at the Seattle Boat Show (several ports and harbors departments share a booth at the event each year). The award was presented to him by past KVB board chair, Joey Wharton.

The Spirit of Alaska Award - “presented to the individual or organization who by their actions, embody the traits of friendliness and service to visitors for which Ketchikan is known” was awarded to Shirley McDonald.  McDonald has dual roles, she is employed as a barista and snack bar attendant by the Airport Lounge and Snack Bar and the Ketchikan International Airport as a ferry toll collector.

The Heart of the Community Award - “recognizes the efforts of an individual or organization within the tourism industry in appreciation of their financial or fundraising support on behalf of local residents or organizations in need”.  This year’s winner was Anderes Oil for their generous support to youth programs as well as countless donations to other local organizations over the years. Rick Erickson of Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska announced the win.

The Golden Totem Award - “presented to the individual, business or organization that has demonstrated outstanding leadership, new ideas and cooperative efforts in working with Ketchikan’s visitor industry” was awarded to the Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly in recognition of their ongoing support for the Ketchikan Story Project. Since 2009 the Ketchikan Assembly has provided funding support for a series of 6 films, a web site, an iPad app, interactive kiosks, signage and other materials created specifically to educate cruise passengers about the community. Len Laurance presented the award.

Nominations for the awards are solicited each year from KVB members and the community and reviewed by a committee of the KVB board of directors.

The banquet theme, “A Night at the Lodge” held at the Ted Ferry Civic Center saw many attendees dressed in their favorite lodge attire.  A seafood boil, served seasonally by Silverking Lodge was prepared and served by Clover Pass Resort and Experience Alaska Tours staff.

Proceeds from the annual banquet’s door prize and auction items benefit the Kris Geldaker Memorial Scholarship and Ketchikan Visitors Bureau activities.

Source of News: 

Ketchikan Visitors Bureau
www.visit-ketchikan.com/

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