Commissioner Susan Whitaker Talks Tourism at Roane Chamber Annual Banquet
Tuesday April 17, 2007
KINGSTON - Roane County's businesses and community leaders will gather on Friday, April 21st at the Whitestone Country Inn for the annual Chamber of Commerce Banquet. The 61st banquet for the Roane Chamber marks the occasion for the presentation of the annual Athena Award, Business of the Year award and the Distinguished Service Award. Featured guest speaker for the event will be State Commissioner for Tourist Development, Susan Whitaker.
Whitaker, a veteran tourism marketing industry executive, was named Commissioner of Tourist Development in January 2003 by Governor Phil Bredesen. In this role, Whitaker is responsible for the development and implementation of statewide tourism publicity and programs designed to stimulate growth of tourism in Tennessee. She is responsible for planning, development and execution of marketing, advertising, promotional campaigns as well as oversight responsibilities for the state's highly-rated welcome centers. Prior to her state cabinet post, Whitaker served as vice president of marketing for Dollywood, Tennessee's most visited tourist attraction.
Whitaker serves on several boards including Travel Industry Association (TIA) and Travel South USA, where she serves on the executive committee. She was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the TIA's National Council of State Travel Directors. Whitaker is a member of the Governor's Jobs Cabinet, the FastTrack Jobs Advisory Panel, the Tennessee Foreign Language Institute, and the Smoky Mountains Park Commission.
"Tourism is being recognized more and more as a significant economic development driver," said Leslie Henderson, President/CEO of The Roane Alliance. The Alliance is the umbrella organization composed of economic development, the Chamber of Commerce and the Visitor's Bureau in Roane County. "Tourism is an industry in Roane County that impacts virtually every business."
The banquet will be held at the Whitestone Country Inn with a wine reception and silent auction at 6 pm, with dinner to follow at 7 pm. The Roane Chamber of Commerce membership roster numbers approximately 400 and new memberships are welcomed. For new membership information, contact the Roane Alliance at 376-5572 or 376-1790.
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Contact:
Beverly Stroh
865-376-4201
