Raleigh, NC (August 4) - Scott Dupree, Executive Director of the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance, has been named CVB Sports Commission Professional of the Year for Sales and Business Development by ConnectSPORTS for his role in positioning Greater Raleigh as an endurance sports tourism destination. The award will be presented to Dupree on Aug. 21 at the ConnectSPORTS annual convention in Orlando, FL.

The ConnectSPORTS Executive Advisory Group created the Sports Tourism Excellence Awards to recognize game-changing members of the sports tourism industry. The Executive Advisory Group is comprised of sports tourism executives and members of convention and visitors bureaus, sports commissions, national hotel sales offices and others involved in the sports industry.

"Scott was instrumental throughout the entire process to attract both the IRONMAN 70.3 and the Rock ‘n' Roll Marathon & ½ Marathon to our area," said Denny Edwards, president and CEO of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Sporting events of this caliber not only help us position the area as premier sports destination but also strengthen the hospitality community and bring a significant economic impact to the area."

In the past year Dupree has led GRSA's efforts to host the inaugural Rock ‘n' Roll Raleigh Marathon and ½ Marathon and Ironman 70.3 Raleigh, while also serving as Chair of the Raleigh Local Organizing Committee for the 2014 NCAA Basketball Championship 2nd & 3rd Rounds at PNC Arena.

"This honor is a direct reflection on our GRSA staff, which in my opinion is the best in the nation, and our many superb host partners here in Greater Raleigh, who collectively make this area one of America's premier sports event destinations," said Dupree of being recognized as Sports Commission Professional of the Year for Sales and Business Development.

 

The Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance (GRSA) is a department of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau and is responsible for marketing Raleigh and Wake County for all types of sporting events, and for promoting the area's sports event industry.