Fayetteville CTA receives National Tourism Ambassador Institute's Distinguished Star Award

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- Leisa Greathouse, curator of education at the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex and recent recipient of the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau's first Fayetteville Certified Tourism Ambassador of the Year Award, has caught the attention of the Tourism Ambassador Institute^TM, which selected her as the inaugural winner of its National TAI Star Award. Greathouse was chosen from a group of nine CTAs from all over the country who became eligible for the highest and most prestigious award granted to an individual CTA by the Tourism Ambassador Institute^TM by winning their local CTA of the year or star awards.

"We selected Leisa for her tireless commitment to the CTA program, coupled with her creativity in bringing so many travel industry people together to market the destination," said John Marks, immediate past president and CEO of the San Francisco CVB and TAI selection committee co-chair. In addition to receiving a crystalline Star Award trophy, Greathouse has been given a trip for two to the destination of her choice anywhere American Airlines flies in the continental U.S., including airfare for two and two nights' lodging. 

Greathouse is a member of the first graduating class of the Fayetteville Area Ambassador Program where hospitality employees earn a CTA designation upon completing classes that provide them with the tools and training needed to deliver a message consistent with the area's patriotic brand and help ensure every visitor encounter is a memorable one. She was chosen for the CTA of the Year Award and subsequently the TAI Star Award because she enters every visitor encounter with a smile and truly enjoys speaking to others about what makes this community great. Greathouse is committed to bringing the community together to create a positive overall experience for visitors and utilizes her position at the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex to get to know each individual visitor to provide them with a customized tour of the museum, as well as advice on other area attractions tailored to their specific interests.

"Everyone here at the FACVB and FAAP is thrilled that Leisa has been selected as the very first TAI Star Award winner," said John Meroski, president and CEO of the FACVB. "I cannot think of anyone more deserving as Leisa so accurately represents what a CTA should be not only on a local level, but also on the national level."

Source: Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau