What: Inland Northwest Tourism Awards
Presented by the Spokane Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau
When: Tuesday, May 6, 2007
3:30 p.m. Reception
4:15 p.m. Program Begins
Where: Red Lion Hotel at the Park, 303 W North River Dr
RSVP: VisitSpokane.com/TourismAwards

Questions: Contact Natalie Curtis, 509.742.9382

The judging is complete and the finalists have been determined in all 16 categories of the Inland Northwest Tourism Awards hosted by the Spokane Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The Spokane Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau thanks the following panel of judges who volunteered hours of time to pour over the nominations and select the best.

• Ken Belisle, Landmark Restaurants
• Ed Clark, The Clark Company
• Marianne Guenther, Windermere Real Estate Manito
• Tobby Hatley, Tobby Hatley & Associates
• James Hicks, WestCoast Entertainment
• Diane Mahan, Klündt|Hosmer Design
• Erica Mostek, BHW1
• Molly Myers, Spokane Transit Authority (STA)
• Kim Plese, PIP Printing
• Jody Sander, Sterling Hospitality
• Genia Seghetti, The Office Connection (TOC)
• Rick Steltenpohl, Spokane Hoopfest Association
• Donna Tikker, Washington Restaurant Association
• Chris Woods, Mirabeau Park Hotel and Convention Center

The Business Awards (Finalists in Alphabetical Order):

Festivals & Events Award:

• Evergreen Region Volleyball - Pacific Northwest Volleyball Qualifier
• Lilac Bloomsday Association
• Spokane Lilac Festival Association

Attraction Award:

• Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture (MAC)
• Riverfront Park
• Ruby Street Antiques

"Near nature. Near perfect." Award:

• Arbor Crest Wine Cellars
• Circling Raven Golf Course
• Spokane Convention Center

Spirit of the Inland Northwest Award:

• David's Pizza
• Oxford Suites Spokane Valley
• Spokane Subs

In the Bag Award:

• Chocolate Apothecary
• Finders Keepers
• The Kitchen Engine

Table Top Award:

• Chaps
• Churchill's Steak House
• Scratch

The Individual Service Awards (Finalists in Alphabetical Order By Last Name):

The White Glove Award:

• Cindy Cecil, Pheasant Hill Inn and Suites
• Traci Johnston, Oxford Suites Spokane Valley
• Loren Kilham, Northern Quest Casino

The Silver Spoon Award:

• Kim Bebo, Satellite Diner & Lounge
• Chef Harold Froewiss, Centerplate
• Shane Lee, Taco John's

First Impression Hotel Award:

• Kent Brocklebank, Red Lion Hotel at the Park
• Carolyn Eller, Holiday Inn Express Spokane Valley
• Curt Krijns, Quality Inn Valley Suites

First Impression Sales Award:

• Luke Hammond, Hilton Garden Inn Spokane Airport
• Kelsey Soukup, Spokane Convention Center
• Vivi Windsor, Pheasant Hill Inn & Suites

First Impression Retail Sales Award:

• Shelby Enevold, Arbor Crest Wine Cellars
• Drew Smith, Huckleberry's
• Angelika Tann, Arbor Crest Wine Cellars

First Impression Transportation Award:

• Kent Brocklebank, Red Lion Hotel at the Park
• Shane Chapman, Oxford Suites Spokane Valley
• Viola Unger, Group Coordinators

Heart of the House Award:

• Smajo Mekic, Holiday Inn Express Spokane Valley
• Joyce Tomayko, Northern Quest Casino
• Jeremy Triplett, Pheasant Hill Inn and Suites

Rising Star Award:

• Jody Aldred, Doubletree Hotel Spokane City Center
• Tawnya Hindman, Holiday Inn Express Spokane Valley
• Traci McGlathery, Spokane Public Facilities District

Hospitality Volunteer of the Year Award:

• Pat Martin, Visitor Information Center
• Sandra Pellervo, Red Lion River Inn
• Lea Smith, CenterStage

Tourism Professional of the Year:

• Dave McGann, Arby's
• Denise Vickerman, Ramada Spokane Airport and Indoor Waterpark
• Dan Zimmerer, Red Lion River Inn

Art Coffey has been named by the Spokane Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau Board of Directors as this year's Lifetime Achievement Award winner. The award is the highest honor bestowed at the Inland Northwest Tourism Awards.

For over 30 years Art Coffey has been a leader in the hotel industry in Spokane. Coffey began his tourism career in 1981 when he joined Red Lion Hotels (formerly Cavanaugh's and WestCoast Hotels). During his career with Red Lion, Coffey served as Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and most recently President and Chief Executive Officer until his retirement earlier this year. He has also served as a director of the Association of Washington Business, a trustee of the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce, a director of the Spokane Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau and President of the Spokane Hotel/Motel Association.

Have you heard? The Phantom of the Opera is appearing in Spokane!
October 8-25, 2008
INB Performing Arts Center, 334 W Riverside Ave

• Coeur d'Alene Casino
• Comcast
• FedEx Kinko's
• Haskins Steel
• Landmark Restaurants
• Northern Quest Casino
• Spokane Tribe of Indians
• Two Rivers Casino

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 $739.8 million in 2006, providing jobs for nearly 9,860 residents and generating $55.7 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 October 2007 Dean Runyan associates report for the year ending 2006.