Greater Bangor Convention & Visitors Bureau announces 2018 tourism awards
Courtesy / Greater Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau
Chris Rudolph, chairman of the Greater Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau Annual Awards Event, shakes hands with the recipient of the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award, Galen Cole, during a media conference at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor where 2018 award winners were recently announced.
The Greater Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau has announced the recipients of its 2018 Tourism and Hospitality Eagle Awards, which will be presented at its annual awards event in May.
This year’s award winners are:
- Galen Cole, a World War II veteran, philanthropist and manager of the Cole Land Transportation Museum and Walking Sticks for Veterans program, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Machias Savings Bank. Cole was chosen to receive this award for the numerous activities, organizations and charity drives he is involved in or spearheads.
- Risteen Bahr, recently retired marketing manager at Bangor International Airport and 25-year veteran of the tourism and transportation industry in Eastern Maine, will receive the Individual Achievement Award.
- The Maine Basketball Hall of Fame will receive the award for Organizational Achievement.
- Bangor International Airport will receive the CVB Partnership Award, sponsored by the Cross Insurance Center.
- The Maine Science Festival will receive the Greater Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau Impact Award.
The awards will be presented during the 23rd Annual Tourism Awards Event and Silent Auction on May 17 at the Cross Insurance Center.
“Tourism in Eastern Maine continues to grow,” said Elizabeth Sutherland, chairwoman of the Greater Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau’s board of directors. “This event gives the region the opportunity to celebrate the people and organizations that have had a direct impact on that growth, and to inspire a new crop of leaders.”
Kerrie Tripp, executive director of the Greater Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau, described this year’s winners as “incredibly talented and deserving individuals and organizations.”
“Galen Cole is such an inspiration and a great ambassador for Bangor,” she said. “Risteen Bahr has been a tremendous force for tourism in this region. The Maine Basketball Hall of Fame is a long overdue recognition of the history and legacy of basketball in Eastern Maine and is a wonderful attraction at the Cross Insurance Center. The Bangor International Airport has been such a valuable partner for our organization since our inception. And The Maine Science Festival is simply amazing in its growth, viability, and focus on its mission. This is a great crop of award winners who are all deserving of this recognition.”
Tickets now available
In addition to the Eagle Awards, Greater Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau will also be awarding two Eaglet Awards; the Maureen Waltz Spirit of Hospitality Award; Tourism Employee of the Year; and Thomas H. Palmer III Volunteer of the Year award.
These awards focus on the frontline workers in the tourism industry who offer exceptional customer service and/or community service and involvement. Winners will be surprised with the award on the night of the ceremony.
Tickets are now available for the awards ceremony, set for May 17 at 5 p.m. at the Cross Insurance Center. For more information go here, or call 207-947-5205.
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