New Tourist Info Center Announces Board Members

New Tourist Info Center Announces Board Members

By WYDaily Staff Friday, December 31, 2010

The local hotel association’s tourist information center, which received state certification last month, has announced it now has a board of directors.

In March, the Williamsburg Hotel Motel Association decided to invest $200,000 to turn its office at the Village Shops at Kingsmill into a new visitor center called the Greater Williamsburg Tourist Information Center. The WHMA applied with the Virginia Tourism Corporation to become an authorized site with the state, which offers benefits like free marketing, training and advice as well as highly visible highway signage through the department of transportation. At the end of November, the Center finally got its state certification, and announced Thursday it has established a board of directors.

The new board's members are people working in the tourism industry beyond just hoteliers. According to Thursday’s press release, “moving forward the initial board will expand the board of directors to represent a full complement of tourism industry professionals who will meet in January to chart the Center’s course.”

“I am excited to be a part of this community-wide effort to increase tourism in the Greater Williamsburg area and looking forward to working with all of our partners,” said Board President Scott Hart, who is the general manager for Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum. “The Center will be a fantastic addition to the region, showcasing our many unique offerings and providing firsthand knowledge of our exceptional dining, lodging and recreation.”

The members are:

Chris Canavos, owner of the Country Inn & Suites East Williamsburg and partner in the Capitol Pancake House and Canavos Properties and president for the WHMA.

Steve Ewell, director of group sales for Traditional Golf Properties, which include Kiskiack and Stonehouse. Ewell managed hotels in Williamsburg from 1993-2006.

Scott Hart, president, general manager of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum. He spent 15 years in the restaurant and hospitality industry before taking the helm at Ripley’s! in 2006.

Debi Schaefer, president of Innovative Marketing Solutions, has more than 30 years’ experience in marketing, sales, PR, business development and consulting. Schaefer’s career spans industries in hospitality, advertising, banking, restaurants, hotels, manufacturers and distribution.

Billy Scruggs, born and raised in Williamsburg. He is the owner of the Fife & Drum Inn and Retro’s Good Eats. Scruggs has served on the Williamsburg Planning Commission and is a former City Council member.

Comments

+9 #8 Guest 2011-01-01 14:55

(Really) ..The background purpose of the center is to fill the holel vacanies. 95% of the arrivals have already made their bookings. Of course the reastaurants are open for grabs. ...But I wish you the best.........re ally!
Why do you all hate the Chamber as if it has no effect on the beat of Williamsburg. .

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-2 #7 Guest 2011-01-01 11:13

Lost in the bus, you seem to have lost your mind. First, I recommend you visit the GWTIC and see forst hand the local staffers who are there to provide information and assistance to anyone and more importantly FOR everyone. Second, what good are you providing by making baseless statements about an organization which at its infancy is more "collaborative" than the Alliance and the royal fraterity of the HTC will be ever. As for controlling information dispensed, how about commenting how the Gazette failed to acknowledge the absolute blatant arrogance of the Alliance and its Executive Directors for renewing the contract of Dick Schreiber at a "undisclosed" salary?

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+13 #6 Guest 2011-01-01 09:58

Bob I see what you mean. Being fairly new in town I can predict where the bus will stop. It depends where route is directed. I do hope I am incorrect and it works to be a good idea for the City of Williamsburg and the surrounding areas.The proof will be in the action of the Board of Directors....le ts pray that they are just.

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-2 #5 Guest 2011-01-01 09:00

To "Lost on the Bus" - If you want to distribute brochures on a message parlor, then I hope they control THAT. But, if you are talking about selectively distributing certain businesses info and not others......you must be referring to CW's Visitor Center.

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0 #4 Guest 2010-12-31 15:59

Best wishes and lotsa good luck to the newly-elected Officers and Board of Directors for the Greater Williamsburg Tourist Information Center.
President Scott Hart and Collagues have the background and experience to provide much needed aggressive leadership and knowledge in the HTA Tourism Industry. Hopefully 2011 will be a better year than 2010 and prior years.
Once again, best wishes and success as you meet the challenges of 2011.

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+2 #3 Guest 2010-12-31 13:05

I understand that the information dispensed to the public will be controlled. That means being controlled by the hotel association to where they want informaiton directed.

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+9 #2 Guest 2010-12-31 10:48

I'm excited to see Debi's name on the roster. She's smart, talented and devoted to helping businesses in our community succeed.

And it's nice to see a woman in a leadership role.

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+3 #1 Guest 2010-12-31 10:15

Nice to see a true community based tourism entity that will include any/all people/business es that have an interest in the well being of our local tourism industry. More important, it will be governed by a true mix of representatives from the industry. I am confidant that this will be a wonderful asset for our community.

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