County’s business and hospitality professionals honored at Celebrate Cabarrus 2016

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National Mustang Museum coming to Concord, North Carolina
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Golden Helmet Awards cap 33rd annual National Travel & Tourism Week

CONCORD, NC (May 9, 2016) —On Friday evening, the Cabarrus County Convention and Visitors Bureau topped off a weeklong celebration of the travel industry by recognizing the outstanding contributions of area hospitality professionals at the fourth annual Golden Helmet Awards.

“Now in its fourth year, the Golden Helmet Award ceremony continues to showcase the partners that make Cabarrus County travel and tourism so successful,” said Donna Carpenter, President/CEO of the Cabarrus County CVB. “Local citizens and businesses are the pulse of our tourism industry, and their contributions deserve to be celebrated.”

The 2016 Golden Helmet Award recipients are:
Hotel of the YearHilton Garden Inn Charlotte/Concord
Attraction of the YearHendrick Motorsports
Small Business of the YearSouthern Grace Distilleries
Restaurant of the YearGianni’s Trattoria
Outstanding Ambassador – Terry Crawford
Unsung Hero – Eddie Ray, North Carolina Music Hall of Fame
Hospitality Professional of the Year – Dianne Eckert, Charlotte Motor Speedway
Visitor Center Referral Winner – Shirley Lamoreaux, Hendrick Motorsports
Hometown HeroThe Avett Family
Destination Visionary AwardConcord Regional Airport

The Golden Helmet Awards were created in celebration of National Travel and Tourism Week to honor those who continuously make memorable experiences for our visitors through exceptional customer service as it relates to local tourism. Cabarrus County Partners are able to nominate persons within their organization or the community that have gone beyond the call of duty to wow guests and strengthen our destination’s reputation.

Celebrate Cabarrus was formed in 2014 as three separate entities with different missions merged their annual awards ceremonies. Held at Great Wolf Lodge this year, the event combines the CVB’s Golden Helmet Awards and annual awards for both the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce (www.cabarrus.biz) and Cabarrus Economic Development Corporation (www.cabarrusedc.com).

About the Cabarrus County Convention and Visitors Bureau
As a destination marketing organization, the CCCVB 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. In 2014, tourism generated $400.03 million in visitor spending, $87.06 million in payroll, $28.95 million in state and local taxes and 4,190 jobs. For more, visit www.CabCoCVB.com or find us at Facebook.com/VisitCabarrus and @SpeedCityUSA.

Media Contact:
Julie Hinson, TMP
Communications Manager
Julie@VisitCabarrus.com; 704-575-9379