Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau has honored two local tourism leaders
Noting their commitment and dedication, Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau has honored two local tourism leaders.
Donna Holdorf, executive director of the National Road Heritage Corridor, which promotes the National Road in Fayette, Somerset and Westmoreland counties, received the Trailblazer of the Year award while Dean Simpson, marketing manager for Touchstone Center for Crafts, earned the 2019 Tourism Employee of the Year.
LHVB presented the honors during its annual dinner, held recently at Laurel Mountain Ski Area in Westmoreland County.
“For 28 years, our paths have crossed many times over the byways and highways of the Laurel Highlands,” Ann Nemanic, LHVB executive director, said in a release. “You want Donna at the table, on the phone and in your circle. She gets the job done because she has vision, passion and purpose.”
Holdorf told the Herald-Standard, “It truly was humbling and a great honor to receive the award. The work I have done on behalf of the National Road Heritage Corridor has brought me together with many people and communities. I think we have done a lot of great things together. If the NRHC’s participation has made those happen, then we have fulfilled our mission and created, what will be long standing relationships and partnerships that will continue far beyond my tenure with the NRHC.”
Trailblazer of the Year is awarded to an organization, business or individual who helps build the region’s tourism assets and strengthens the Laurel Highlands brand.
Employee of the Year is nominated by LHVB partners to celebrate a special team member who goes above and beyond within their organization or business.
“Over the past two years, Dean has shown great competence and commitment to promoting not only our organization, but a myriad of regional organizations, businesses, attractions and individuals in the Laurel Highlands,” wrote Stefanie Glover, Touchstone’s development coordinator, in her recommendation. “He is an active member of the community, exceeding the expectations and duties of what his position requires.”
Simpson acknowledged, “Touchstone Center for Crafts is an inspiring place that I am lucky to get to come to every day. We have an amazing staff who are passionate about what we do – educate and advance the arts in the region. Everyday, I get to meet creative participants from all over who come to experience our workshops, retreats, and events.”
Simpson added, “We also just happen to be located in the beautiful Laurel Highlands with so many cool things to do. Our partnership with LHVB and our collaborations with other organizations have extended our reach to audiences we could never achieve on our own. The Laurel Highlands is lucky to have such an innovative Visitor’s Bureau behind it to promote the region and help establish meaningful connections. All these things make it easy to love what I do.”
LHVB also gave Tall Pines Distillery, of Salisbury in Somerset County, the Pathfinder of the Year Award, presented to a person or organization who leads visitors to the Laurel Highlands by carving a path for something they love.
LHVB presented a $1,500 scholarship to two students majoring in hospitality and tourism. They are Chelsey Gasparovic, a culinary arts and hospitality major at Westmoreland County Community College, who works full-time at the Rolling Rock Club and serves in the United States Army National Guard, and Hannah Long, a hospitality and tourism senior at Seton Hill University, from Bridgeville, who is an events intern at West Overton Village and Museum.