Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau Honors
Eure, Ross, Hunter and Horizon Award Winners at Annual Luncheon

Raleigh, N.C. - The Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau honored five
individuals with hospitality industry awards today at its 24th Annual Luncheon.

The award winners are:

Thad Eure, Jr. Memorial Award
John Kane, Chairman and CEO of Kane Realty

The Thad Eure, Jr. Memorial Award is the Bureau's longest running and most prestigious
award recognizing an individual or organization that has made a major impact on the
Wake County hospitality industry. The award is named for the late restaurateur and
community leader Thad Eure Jr.

John Kane had the vision to take a once quiet 120 acre area and transform it into one of
the best examples of mixed use space including office, residential, hotel, entertainment,
restaurants, and retail establishments. He led a team of professionals to create a multiblock
district that truly defines the concept of live, work, play. Through weekly events
like the Beach Music Concert Series and the Farmers and Flower Markets, the annual
Plein Air Arts Festival, Triangle British Classic Car Show and Christmas at North Hills, this
dynamic and unique area has become a must-visit destination for residents and visitors.

John B. Ross, Jr. Leadership Award
Raleigh Jaycees (Award accepted by Heather Snyder)

The John B. Ross Leadership Award was established in 1996 to recognize an outstanding
executive management-level individual who displays exceptional leadership skills to
positively impact the Wake County hospitality industry and community. The award is
given in honor of John Ross, who was the GRCVB Chairman of the Board of Directors in
1995-96. The award exemplifies the courage, leadership, dedication and inspiration that
Ross portrayed in the hospitality industry for more than 20 years.

The Raleigh Jaycees have been honored for hosting, coordinating and successfully
running the PONY National Girls' Fastpitch Softball Championship in Cary since 2007.
Annually in July, more than 100 teams from throughout the country come to Cary and
the Raleigh area, to compete for the title of champion. The 2009 PONY Fastpitch
Softball Championship brought a total of 126 teams to Cary, with an estimated 6,500
hotel room nights and an estimated economic impact of $1.8 million in direct visitor
spending. Because of last year's success, the Jaycees have secured this event again for
2011.

The Jaycees have been active in the Triangle community for over 75 years as a serviceoriented
organization for men and women ages 21 to 40.

Horizon Award
The Horizon Award recognizes exemplary attitude and professionalism of a midmanagement
level employee who demonstrates the skills to be a future leader in the
hospitality industry.

Craig Shipley, Corporate Director of Sales, Summit Hospitality Group.

Isaac Hunter Excellence in Service Awards
The Isaac Hunter Excellence in Service Awards honor front-line employees in the local
hospitality industry who go above and beyond normal expectations to provide
outstanding service to visitors and residents. The 2009 winners were selected in the
following categories:

Accommodations
Christine Clark, Guest Services Representative , Courtyard Raleigh Midtown

Dining
Zuzana Zargova, Server Captain, Herons at The Umstead Hotel and Spa

The GRCVB's annual luncheon was held September 1, 2010 at the Raleigh Convention
Center.