FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Martin Armes, 645-2654
marmes@visitraleigh.com

Greater Raleigh CVB Announces Award Winners; The Late Jim Lofton and N.C. State's Lee Fowler Honored at Annual Luncheon

RALEIGH, N.C. (July 19, 2006) - The late Jim Lofton and N.C. State's Lee Fowler were honored today with major awards at the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau's 19th annual luncheon recognizing the area's billion dollar visitor industry.

Here's a rundown of the awards and the winners:

Thad Eure, Jr. Memorial Award
James S. Lofton, Owner, The William Thomas House B&B; Past Chairman, GRCVB; Chairman, The Conference Table

The Bureau's most prestigious award normally goes to an individual or individuals who have made major contributions to the local hospitality industry during the previous 12 months. The award is named for Eure - the late restaurateur, respected businessman and community leader.

Jim Lofton was posthumously recognized for both his leadership and involvement in the hospitality industry and also his commitment and unrelenting devotion to making Raleigh and Wake County a better place. Lofton passed away at age 62 on August 4, 2005.  He was the Chairman of the Bureau's executive group called "The Conference Table" at the time of his death and had been chairman since 1998.  He was also the Chairman of the GRCVB Board of Directors in 1997/98.  He owned with his wife, Sarah, the William Thomas House Bed & Breakfast, which will close on August 31, 2006.  Lofton was the Treasurer of the Downtown Raleigh Alliance, Past President of the Rotary Club of Raleigh, Treasurer of the State Capitol Foundation, and served on the boards of the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, NCCBI, WakeMed and Wake County Economic Development Commission. He was Chief-of-Staff to Congressman James G. Martin in Washington, D.C., and became his Chief-of-Staff when Mr. Martin became North Carolina Governor in 1985. 

John B. Ross, Jr. Leadership Award
Lee Fowler, Athletics Director, N.C. State University

The GRCVB's John B. Ross, Jr. Leadership Award recognizes an outstanding executive management-level individual in the Wake County hospitality industry who displays exceptional leadership skills. 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 John portrayed in the hospitality industry for more than 20 years.

The 10th annual award goes to Lee Fowler for displaying the type of leadership and vision that has left an unmistakable and positive impact on the hospitality industry the past six years. N.C. State has clearly taken a strong and proactive approach to hosting NCAA championships in Raleigh and Cary, including NCAA Basketball at the RBC Center and College Cup Soccer at SAS Soccer Park - not to mention dozens of N.C. High School Athletic Association state championship events.  Future hoops, soccer and high school events already secured will generate more than 20,000 hotel room nights and more than $10 million in direct visitor spending for Wake County. Many schools are not interested in taking on this kind of responsibility, but Fowler and N.C. State welcome these opportunities to showcase area venues and the Raleigh region on a national stage.

The GRCVB's annual luncheon was held at the RBC Center. Sidney Lowe, new N.C. State basketball coach, delivered the keynote speech and shared lessons about the power of teamwork that will benefit both the Wolfpack and the Wake County visitor industry alike.

The Greater Raleigh Convention & Visitors Bureau, as the official destination marketing organization of Raleigh and Wake County, accelerates sustainable economic growth and development by increasing visitor and convention business. Through its website, VisitRaleigh.com and other tools, the GRCVB assists local visitors in a variety of ways.