Wilmington & Beaches CVB Team Announces Industry Honors

The Wilmington and Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau [CVB] is pleased to announce that three of its sales team members recently received industry honors and board appointments.

CVB Director of Convention Sales Molly Johnson, CMP, has been awarded the Meeting Professionals International - Carolinas Chapter [MPI-CC] 2019 Corey D. Bizzell Award of Excellence, created in memory of Corey D. Bizzell, a longtime member of the Carolinas Chapter of MPI who exemplified excellence and dedication to the chapter and in every aspect of his life. Bizzell was a constant advocate of elevating the meetings industry to the next level. In honor of his legacy, the MPI-CC president awards a chapter member who demonstrates a superior level of excellence, passion, and leadership in their service to MPI-CC. Molly received the award at the association’s 2019 annual meeting which was held May 19-20 in Asheville. Meeting Professionals International – Carolinas Chapter, established in 1984, is recognized as one of the largest chapters globally.

With nearly 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Molly Johnson joined the Wilmington and Beaches CVB in 2015. Professional memberships include: Member of MPI-CC since 2002, serving as chapter president in 2010-2011 and currently serving on MPI’s Global Chapter and Membership Advisory Council. Johnson is a past recipient of the MPI-CC President’s Award (2017) and Supplier of the Year Award (2014). Last year she received the organization’s 2018 Hall of Fame Award. Other memberships include: Professional Conference Management Association (PCMA) where she serves on the Global Advocacy Task Force; Meetings Mean Business where she was recently appointed as an Ambassador; and past president of the Wilmington Area Hospitality Association [WAHA].

Director of Sports Development Robert Cox, CDME, CSEE, was recently appointed to a 3-year term on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Sports Association Board [NCSA], a non-profit corporation with a purpose to grow, promote and enhance the general welfare of the sports industry in North Carolina. NCSA’s primary goal is the growth and enhancement of the sports economy of the State of North Carolina and its local communities. Cox joined the Wilmington and Beaches CVB in 2017, bringing extensive experience in sports tourism. He previously served on the NCSA Board as Chairman of the Association from 2013-2015.

Sales Manager Joel Smith, MPRTSM, was voted to serve on the Board of Directors as 2nd Vice-President of the North Carolina Society of Government Meeting Planners [NCSGMP]. Joel’s two-year term (2019-2021) begins on July 1. SGMP is a national association for individuals involved in planning government meetings and for the companies who provide facilities or services to those planners. NCSGMP’s mission is to enhance the knowledge and expertise of government meeting professionals, with objectives to improve the quality and promote the cost-effectiveness of government meetings. Smith joined the Wilmington and Beaches CVB in 2017 as a sales manager, covering the corporate, government, social and religious group markets.

“We congratulate Molly, Robert and Joel on their industry honors and commend them for the contributions they are making to the meeting and sports markets through their service to respected travel trade organizations,” states Kim Hufham, president/CEO of the New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority d/b/a Wilmington and Beaches CVB.

The New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority d/b/a Wilmington and Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization for New Hanover County, North Carolina which stimulates economic development through the promotion of travel and tourism.

Discover what makes Wilmington and its island beaches a great destination. For a complete event calendar, visit WilmingtonAndBeaches.com/events. For seasonal highlights visit WilmingtonAndBeaches.com/things-to-do/seasonal-highlights. To request a free Official Visitors Guide, email visit@wilmingtonandbeaches.com or call 866-266-9690. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, travelers are advised to confirm event details with organizers. Find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/CapeFearCoastNC and Twitter and Instagram, @WilmingtoNCoast.