Management Team Members of the Plano CVB Become CTAs
Posted 07/13/2010The management team of the Plano CVB and...
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Employee Spotlight
Dava AdamsNora Campbell
Paul D. Canez
Beth Gardner
Nathan Gray
Mary E. Higbie
Judy Larkin
Linda Maynard
Sharon Moyer
Elizabeth Walker
Carolyn Woodmansee
Tom Yates
Dava Adams, CTA
"I enjoy the opportunity the CTA program provides to be accredited for
the knowledge I have accomplished and service I provide to the City of Irving and its visitors," Dava says. Dava began her career in the hospitality industry at the Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau in 1997 - she quickly flourished to become an endless resource of information to Irving visitors. Dava tackles every question with a passion to get the correct and most informative answer to assist any visitor to Irving . She greets all visitors to the CVB office with a smile.
She says, "the CTA program has encouraged me to visit and familiarize myself with every attraction and event available in Dallas/Fort Worth - and gives me the tools I need to educate visitors and exceed customer expectations."
Nora Campbell, CTA
Nora was working at Ed Kane's Water Taxis as a mate on the boat
when she was 19 and in college. It was an intense customer service position. The mates were often the first encounter many tourists in Baltimore would have. She would get questions ranging from "where to eat" to "what is playing at the IMAX theatre". She spent 10 years there and was ultimately promoted to Vice President of Sales and Administration. She is currently the Sales Manager for the Maryland Science Center and now she always know the IMAX schedule! About the Baltimore Tourism Ambassador Program, she says, "the networking mixers allow me to meet other like-minded individuals in the industry and to create new cooperative partnerships."
Paul started his career as an intern at Amelia Island Plantation in Florida
and later became Assistant Banquet Manager at La Quinta Resort & Club in Palm Springs. He held many positions at the resort and then landed a position in sales. He moved to Tucson to work for Sheraton El Conquistador Resort, which a Hilton in 2003. Finally, he had the opportunity to work at JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa in sales, where he has been for the past seven years. He says, since he earned his CTA designation, ", I have received many inquiries about what CTA means and compliments such as: ‘I always considered you Mr. Tucson, but now as an Ambassador, that's impressive'!"
Beth Gardner, CTA
Before becoming a KCI Ambassador, Beth Gardner was Director of
Leisure Operations for a large travel agency in Kansas City. She was in travel for almost 19 years before retiring. Volunteering as a KCI Ambassador was a great fit for her coming out of travel. She loves helping people. She says, "what I like most about being a CTA is meeting new people and receiving positive reactions from the information I share with them."
Nathan began his career in the hospitality industry as a caddie at the
Coeur d' Alene Resort Golf Course in 1995. He has worked in hotels in San Francisco and Albuquerque and for the past 8 years has worked in Spokane at The Davenport Hotel and Tower, and Hotel Lusso, most recently as the Director of Front Office Operations.
Nathan says, "Every guest I interact with benefits from my participation in the CTA program. We recently had visitors from all around the world come stay with us for the 2010 National Figure Skating Championships. These guests had never experienced Spokane or our hotel. Through my experience and tools gained from the CTA program, I was able to come up with some great advice to offer, so that our guests would have a memorable experience. This included different types of local restaurants and area attractions. Myself and many of my CTA colleagues at the hotel took a sincere personal interest in their guest experience. Very rewarding to say the least!"
Mary E. Higbie, CTA
Everything we do in life helps to prepare us for something
else....whether we do it for pay or as a volunteer. So my customer service background with several of the different airlines has taught me a variety of tools which serve me well as a museum guide and meeting the public.
"Being a CTA has brought recognition from others in the hospitality/tourism field. Additionally, it has given me pride in myself and it is my personal goal is to be able to provide the information our visitors need to enjoy their stay."
Judy Larkin, CTA
Judy Larkin, also known as the Tea Lady, does much more than talk
about tea, and to call her presentations "tea parties" wouldn't do them justice, nor give recognition to the fact that the Tea Lady is not only a first-rate entertainer, but also a scholar. The day after she became certified, Judy says, "I was in the local library in Falling Waters, WV and a visitor stopped in to use the computer. She was asking the librarian all about Frederick, MD and I was able to step in and share all my newly-acquired knowledge on the area including the location of the Visitors' Center. To top it off, actually remembered to say "It's my pleasure" while she was thanking me profusely.
Linda has been working for the City of Goodyear for over 10 years as
Customer Service Advocate. Before moving to Arizona, she lived in the Colorado Rockies. She says she misses the mountains, pine trees and lakes, but has grown to love Arizona's scenic beauty.
She says, "I enjoy being a CTA and getting acquainted with different businesses and exchanging information with fellow CTAs. I plan to renew my certification. I want to continue to enjoy the discounts that I receive as a CTA."
Sharon Moyer, CTA
Sharon utilizes her skills and knowledge as a CTA to tell new employees at the Fayetteville Observer about all that Fayetteville has to offer.
Before joining the Observer, she was the executive director for a non-profit that produced festivals and events. Her interest in tourism and hospitality came from meeting people that visited from other areas and wanting them to know what a great area Fayetteville/Cumberland County is.
Sharon shares how she has made a difference in a visitors' experience, "several weeks ago I was at an event and met a young soldier who was only here for a month. He was very interested in the history and finding activities to participate in during his short stay here. Through my experiences and training as a CTA, I was able to offer his a wealth of sites, activities and resources that would enhance his visit here and entice him to come back."
Sharon says, "whenever someone asks me why I know so much about the Fayetteville area I always tell them, 'It's because I am a Certified Tourism Ambassador.'"
A Kansas City native, Elizabeth received her master's degree in Sports
Management from Wichita State University and did her internship with the Kansas City Chiefs. She is now a Client Services Representative at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, which recently hosted several NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament games (Pictured above: Elizabeth, on left, assisting a basketball fan).
Elizabeth says, "The knowledge that I have gained from being a CTA has been very beneficial in dealing with our clients. I truly enjoy meeting the thousands of people that come through our doors, and teaching them about the wonderful things Kansas City has to offer."
Carolyn Woodmansee, CTA
Carolyn has been a volunteer for the Spokane Region Convention &
Visitors Bureau for over seven years. She choose to be a volunteer because she loves people! She thought it would be a great way to meet new people and help make their experience in Spokane wonderful!
When the CTA program was first introduced to Spokane, she jumped at the chance! She wanted to learn more about Spokane, and thought this would be the best way to hone her skills. Of the certification renewal process, Carolyn says, "I found the renewal process to be easy, and actually inspiring to finding additional venues to visit! The renewal cost was very reasonable. I consider it to be a worthwhile investment of my time and money."
Tom began working at DeSha's Restaurant in 1985 and has done almost
every job in the restaurant. His passion for theatre, cooking, and hospitality has brought him to where he is now. He loves the front of house of the restaurant because of the interaction with tourists and customers. He says, "people ask one simple question, and I'm pulling out maps, walking tours guides and information packs. They sometimes refer to me as a walking tourism center. When I tell them I'm a CTA, they immediately trust me and the suggestions I provide. Having a customer trust you with their visit is fun, awesome and rewarding!"
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