ASHEVILLE, NC (April 12, 2004) – Branding strategist Duane Knapp, president of BrandStrategy, Inc., will offer his expertise at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2004 National Tourism Week Luncheon, Monday, May 10, at 11:30 a.m. at the Renaissance Asheville Hotel.
Recognized as an authority on the creation and implementation of genuine brands worldwide, Knapp will present a discussion of ways to stimulate and reinvent businesses by creating distinctiveness in the minds of consumers.
Knapp’s best-selling book, “The BrandMindset®,” has been selected by IBM and American Express as the “must read” book for their top 400 executives, leading brands worldwide since 2000. His articles and interviews have appeared in Brandweek, CFO Magazine, Association Management, Focus magazine, Risk Management, as well as The Seattle Times, The Journal of Commerce and many private corporate and association publications. Knapp has also held a variety of senior executive positions in companies such as Westin Hotels, Holiday Inns, The Promus Companies (Embassy Suites, Residence Inn, Hampton Inn, Homewood Suites and Harrah’s Casinos) and Cinnabon World Famous Cinnamon Rolls.
This year, the event themed “It’s All About Branding,” is presented by the Asheville Independent Restaurant Association. More than 300 tourism leaders are expected to attend.
A brief Buncombe County State of Tourism address will open the event. The Chamber will then announce the winners of two distinct award programs that honor outstanding individuals in the Western North Carolina hospitality industry. The William A.V. Cecil Leadership Award recognizes an outstanding management-level individual in the local hospitality industry, and the Spirit of Hospitality Excellence in Service Awards recognize five front-line employees who exceed normal expectations in providing excellent service to Western North Carolina visitors and residents.
Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to purchase raffle tickets to win travel packages, restaurant gift certificates, theatre tickets and other items. They are also encouraged to wear red that day to show support for the more than $1 billion impact tourism has to the local economy.
Money from the raffle will be added to the Asheville Area Hospitality Scholarship fund. Worth $1,500, the scholarship is presented annually to a full or part-time college student or high school senior, studying hospitality management or culinary arts, from one of the 24 counties in Western North Carolina.
Reservations for the National Tourism Week Luncheon are due Monday, May 3, 2004 and can be made online at www.exploreasheville.com or by calling (828) 258-6102.
Sponsors for the luncheon include: The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, The Biltmore Company, Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, The Asheville Regional Airport, Renaissance Asheville Hotel, Fastsigns, IO Design & Illustration and 1889 WhiteGate Inn & Cottage.
The Asheville Chamber is a 1,800+ member organization representing 86,000 employees, nearly the entire workforce of Buncombe County.
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