Julie Hinson Earns ‘Travel Marketing Professional’ Certification from Southeast Tourism Society Marketing College

Two new staff join tourism team at Cabarrus County CVB
November 25, 2017
Christmas in Cabarrus County
November 25, 2017
Two new staff join tourism team at Cabarrus County CVB
November 25, 2017
Christmas in Cabarrus County
November 25, 2017

Three-year program recognized nationally for continuing education

CONCORD, NC (April 27, 2016) – Julie Hinson, Communications Manager with the Cabarrus County Convention and Visitors Bureau, has earned her Travel Marketing Professional (TMP) certification after completing a three-year program of the Southeast Tourism Society (STS) Marketing College.

Hinson was one of 65 new TMPs recognized at the STS Spring Symposium in Baton Rouge, La. The STS Marketing College started in 1992, and 948 people have earned TMP certification.

“Julie began implementing practices learned in Marketing College right away and has elevated many of our organizations efforts in visibility, relevancy, advocacy and communications as a result,” said Donna Carpenter, President/CEO of the Cabarrus County CVB.

The STS Marketing College is a professional development program that for one week each summer turns the University of North Georgia into its own campus for tourism marketing.

Marketing College professors are industry-related professionals from across the U.S., noted as experts in their field, who bring a working-knowledge of current trends, data and implementation for tourism and travel.

“STS Marketing College is the premier program for the tourism industry as there is no other program quite like it in the United States,” said Bill Hardman, president and chief executive officer of STS.

Tourism ranks as the first, second or third-largest industry in the 12 STS states that stretch from Virginia to Louisiana.

Course topics include special events marketing, media relations, tourism advertising, vacation research, crisis management, heritage tourism and community/rural tourism. After the classroom work, students also must complete two projects that relate to their employment.

“Our curriculum is practical. After each year, the knowledge students gain can be put to immediate use in their workplaces,” Hardman said.

The newest group of TMPs raised $11,000 to fund eleven scholarships for future STS Marketing College students.

About the Cabarrus County Convention and Visitors Bureau
As a destination marketing organization, the Cabarrus County Convention and Visitors Bureau is dedicated to promoting Cabarrus County as a visitor destination and enhancing the complete visitor experience. We also represent and support the interests of the local tourism industry and promote public awareness of the importance of tourism. For more information, visit our website (www.www.cabcocvb.com) or find us on Facebook (Facebook.com/VisitCabarrus), Twitter and Instagram (@SpeedCityUSA).

About Southeast Tourism Society (STS)
Founded in 1983, the Southeast Tourism Society (southeasttourism.org) promotes and develops tourism in its 12 member states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Its headquarters are in Atlanta. The membership includes state travel offices, attractions, hotels, motels, resorts, convention and visitors bureaus, airlines, car rental agencies, newspapers, magazines and other travel-related organizations.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Julie Hinson, Cabarrus County CVB
704-575-9379; julie@visitcabarrus.com

Wendy Thomas, Southeast Tourism Society
770-542-1523; wendy@southeasttourism.org