Oregon's Todd Davidson Honored as Tourism Director of the Year
WASHINGTON, DC, August 25, 2006. The Travel Industry Association (TIA) honored Todd Davidson, chief executive officer of the Oregon Tourism Commission, with the prestigious State Tourism Director of the Year award for 2006. Davidson was recognized on Tuesday in Minneapolis at TIA's annual Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations (ESTO).
Davidson has served as head of the Oregon Travel Commission for 10 years. In that time, he has dramatically increased his state's share of tourism business and funding, and helped generate employment growth in the tourism sector for state residents each year in office. Davidson is credited with driving popular programs, such as culinary and wine-country promotions, and the scenic byways initiative, which resulted in Oregon's possession of the largest number of federally designated All America Roads and National Scenic Byways.
Funding for state tourism promotion has increased substantially under his directorship as well. For example, Davidson's budget grew an impressive 150 percent in the past 18 months alone, dollars that will be allocated to advance Oregon Tourism Commission's mission to encourage economic growth and enhance the state's quality of life.
"Todd Davidson's decade-long contributions to the growth and unity of travel and tourism in Oregon and across the country are endless, and, ultimately, the traveling public benefits," said Roger Dow, TIA's President and CEO. "Oregon has provided all of us with models of effective tourism programming and coalition building, and I am very proud to honor Todd as the State Tourism Director of the Year. Congratulations, Oregon, on your outstanding leadership."
The honor of being named State Tourism Director of the year is unique because it is made by peers; state tourism directors are the individuals who cast the ballots that result in the election. The main criterion for selection is the obvious and measurable improvement of a state's 'travel and tourism profile' while under the current director's leadership.
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