North Carolina Travel Industry Association Honors Three at Governor’s Conference
Posted: 03-10-2009 : CHARLOTTE, N.C.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Dr. Neal Conoley of the North Carolina Aquarium Society, Christopher Watty of the Cherokee Visitor Center and Vince Chelena of Affinity Plus in Charlotte were honored by the North Carolina Travel Industry Association (NCTIA) at the recent North Carolina Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Raleigh.

Dr. Neal Conoley received the NCTIA Public Service Award in honor of Bill Sharpe. The award is given to honor individuals or organizations whose efforts have been for the betterment, welfare, progress, recognition, promotion and development of the travel industry of North Carolina. As president of the North Carolina Aquarium Society, Conoley has devoted nearly 40 years to public service in North Carolina, beginning as an extension agent for North Carolina State University and a consultant for the office of Marine Affairs. He later served as the Director of the North Carolina Aquariums Division, and in 1986, founded the North Carolina Aquarium Society.

The Society has grown to become a multi-million dollar support organization for North Carolina Aquariums with over 24,000 members. Through his leadership, the Aquarium Society has provided a private-public partnership that has raised in excess of $9 million in private donations just to build exhibit and expand the three aquariums in Fort Fisher, Pine Knoll Shores and Roanoke Island. He is the author of two popular books: North Carolina’s Waterfowl Heritage and Carolina Flare: Outer Banks Boatbuilding and Sportsfishing Heritage.

Christopher Watty was honored with NCTIA’s Silver Service Award given for Exceptional Visitor Assistance. The award recognizes front line personnel that continually deliver exemplary customer service, going above and beyond the call of duty, in assisting visitors. Watty was cited for using his time and talents to make visitors to Cherokee feel welcome and valued by always being personal, friendly and eager to lend a helping hand. On his days off, he has been known to take visiting fisherman out to the local “hotspots” and can be found at the Cherokee Welcome Center enthusiastically assisting visitors and occasionally serenading them with his gift of song.

Vince Chelena and Affinity Plus in Charlotte received NCTIA’s Tourism Excellence Award for a Business Organization in honor of Lynn G. Nesbitt. The award recognizes outstanding contributions groups or businesses have made to develop the travel industry in North Carolina. Affinity Plus is deeply ingrained in every aspect of the North Carolina tourism industry by managing several significant and influential associations, including NCTIA, Destination Marketing Association of North Carolina and Meeting Professionals International’s Carolinas Chapter.

About North Carolina Travel Industry Association (NCTIA)
NCTIA is the only member-based statewide organization that encompasses all aspects of the travel industry. It began in 1955 as the Travel Council of North Carolina (TCNC). The organization has a distinguished history as an advocate for the state’s travel industry beginning the day it was formed by Governor Luther Hodges and travel industry visionaries. Organizations such as Keep North Carolina Beautiful , The North Carolina Tourism Coalition and the North Carolina Tourism Educational Foundation originated with the Travel Council. The State Travel and Tourism Board, a liaison between the industry, the Legislature and the Administration, was the result of Travel Council sponsored legislation. Through recent in-depth strategic planning and industry input, the Travel Council changed its name to NCTIA to better reflect its new mission focusing on advocacy, education and networking. www.SeeNC.org