(Spokane, WA - April 14, 2009) - The judging is complete and the finalists have been determined in all 15 categories of the Inland Northwest Tourism Awards hosted by the Spokane Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The Event
 
What:  Inland Northwest Tourism Awards Presented by the Spokane Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau

When: Monday, May 11, 2009; 3:30 p.m. Reception; 4:15 p.m. Program Begins

Where: The Davenport Hotel and Tower, Grand Pennington Ballroom; 10 S Post

RSVP: VisitSpokane.com//meetings

Questions:  Contact Natalie King, 509.742.9382.

The Judges
 
The Spokane Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau thanks the following panel of judges who volunteered hours of time pouring over stacks of nominations in order to select the very best.
 
The Business Awards Judges:
Ken Belisle, Landmark Restaurants
Frankie Dietz, Anthony's at Spokane Falls
Marianne Guenther, Windermere Real Estate
Oliver Jones, MOJO Reprographics
Kim Plese, Plese Printing
Jody Sander, Sterling Hospitality
Rick Steltenpohl, Spokane Hoopfest

The Individual Service Awards Judges:
John Bogensberger, Signs for Success
Carrie Clanton, YMCA of the Inland Northwest
Traci McGlathery, Spokane Public Facilities District
Linda Hagen Miller, Travel Writer 
Elizabeth Mills, River Park Square
Cheryl-Anne Millsap, Spokane Metro Magazine
Tate White, Greater Spokane Incorporated

The Business Awards
 
Finalists in Alphabetical Order:
 
Festivals & Events Award:
The Farm Chicks Antique Show 
First Night Spokane 
Spokane Lilac Festival

Attraction Award:
Dry Fly Distilling
Green Bluff Growers
Riverfront Park

"Near nature. Near perfect." Award:
Cat Tales Zoological Park
Circling Raven Golf Course
Green Bluff Growers

Spirit of the Inland Northwest Award:
The Davenport Hotel and Tower 
The Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox 
Rockin' B Ranch Cowboy Supper Show

In the Bag Award:
Auntie's Bookstore
Coeur d'Alene Olive Oil Co. 
Finders Keepers

Top Table Award:
Clinkerdagger
Dutch Bros Coffee
Wild Sage American Bistro

The Individual Service Awards
 
Finalists in Alphabetical Order By Last Name:
 
The White Glove Award:
Sahbaz Alickovic, The Davenport Hotel and Tower
Robert (Bo) Bohannon, Northern Quest Resort & Casino 
Lucie Nelson, Quality Inn Oakwood

The Silver Spoon Award:
David Klenda, The Davenport Hotel and Tower
Gage Lee, Frank's Diner 
Yong Yudt, Holiday Inn Express Spokane Valley

First Impression Hotel Award:
Karrie Hess, Pheasant Hill Inn & Suites
Curt Krijns, Quality Inn Valley Suites
Adrienne McCoy, Red Lion Hotel Corporation

First Impression Retail Sales Award:
Ally Hammond, Jigsaw
Kyra Morelli, Finders Keepers
Jan St. George, Whiz Kids

First Impression Sales Award:
Cynthia Clark, Courtyard by Marriott Spokane Downtown at the Convention Center
Meredith Galvan, Holiday Inn Express Spokane Valley
Meg Harper, The Davenport Hotel and Tower

First Impression Transportation Award:
Paul Claussen, Holiday Inn Express Downtown
Nick De Benedetti, Red Lion Hotel at the Park
Julie Saucier, Group Coordinators

Heart of the House Award:
John Dixon, Quality Inn Valley Suites
David Sharp, Ramada Spokane Airport & Indoor Waterpark
Lewis Turner, Hotel Lusso

Rising Star Award:
Jeanette Dunn, Premier Publishing
John Rice, Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Coeur d'Alene
Jacob Tresham, Ferry County Tri-County Economic Development District

Tourism Professional of the Year Award:
Nancy DiGiammarco, Silverwood Theme Park
Sandy Kates, LCD Exposition Services
Jody Sander, Sterling Hospitality

Our Title Sponsor
 
Have you heard?  At Northern Quest Resort & Casino, It's all about the Journey!
 
Last New Year's Eve, the casino opened their 50,000 square foot expansion with more than 1,600 machines and 37 table games, a new lounge called Liquid, a high-end cigar lounge called Legends of Fire. A few weeks later, The Q - The Ultimate Sports Experience opened with an expansive media wall and live broadcast center. Then, Impulse, a hot new nightclub that looks like it's straight out of Las Vegas.
 
This New Year's Eve look for the opening of the more than $200 million 250-room resort hotel with a 10,000 square foot spa.
 
If you haven't been lately, it's time to check out Northern Quest Resort & Casino.
 
Many thanks to our title sponsor for the Inland Northwest Tourism Awards, Northern Quest Resort & Casino owned and operated by the Kalispel Tribe of Indians. Without the support of our generous partner, this awards presentation would not be possible.

Premier Sponsor:

Coeur d'Alene Casino

Major Sponsors:
 
Comcast
Doubletree Hotel Spokane City Center

Venue and Reception Sponsor:

The Davenport Hotel & Tower

Libation Sponsors:
 
Arbor Crest Wine Cellars
Coeur d'Alene Brewing Co.
 
Again, many thanks to all of our sponsors for the Inland Northwest Tourism Awards.

About Spokane Regional CVB
 
The Spokane Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau generates economic growth for Spokane County by successfully marketing the Spokane Region as the destination for conventions and leisure travelers from around the world. The proof is in:  Visitors to Spokane County spent an estimated $805.1 million in 2007, providing jobs for nearly 10,100 residents and generating $60.3 million in non-resident tax dollars collected in Spokane County.*
 
*Figures provided by the Washington State Community, Trade and Economic Development Tourism Office in the September 2008 Dean Runyan Associates report for the year ending 2007.

Spokane Regional CVB
Pam Scott
Communications Manager
509.742.9373
pscott@VisitSpokane.com

Spokane Regional CVB
Jeanna Hofmeister
Vice President &
Director of Destination Marketing
509.742.9372
jhofmeister@VisitSpokane.com