Small Town News

Delaware Tourism Office hires Ned Blair to strengthen sales force

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Convention bookings on tap

Ned Blair is the newest addition to the state's tourism sales and marketing team assembled 10 months ago by Linda Parkowski, director of tourism. With the recent out-of-state relocation of Susan Graham, Blair became the new sales development leader for the meetings and conventions targeted market segment.

"Meetings and conventions are big business for the tourism industry," said Parkowski

"Ned is a great asset to the team and brings with him an extensive sales background in the hospitality and hotel industries."

Originally from Winston-Salem, N.C., Blair began his hospitality career at the Mountain Lake Hotel in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia - the infamous property where the movie classic, "Dirty Dancing," was filmed.

Over the past decade, Blair honed his sales skills at several hotels and a convention and visitors bureau in the Delmarva Peninsula, including the Re-hoboth Beach Atlantic Sands Hotel and Conference Center, Lewes Inn at Canal Square, Kent County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Dover Downs Hotel and Casino and the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort Spa and Marina

Blair has been actively involved in many industry professional organizations, including Meeting Professionals International (MPI), American Society of Association Executives and Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International. Most notably, Blair was the recipient of the Potomac chapter of MPrs Rising Star Award, representing the second-largest MPI chapter in the world.

"My diverse background has given me a good understanding of how industry partners operate, which will enable me to best serve them as a representative of the state," said Blair.

The Delaware Tourism sales force is very focused on particular market segments to attract large volumes of visitors to Delaware including meetings and conventions, group tours, sporting events and leisure.

"There is untapped opportunity with attracting meetings and conventions to Delaware.

"With Ned's expertise and established contacts in the indus-. try, Ned is positioned to make a positive impact," said Parkowski.

"We want visitors to know that Delaware is an ideal location to hold a meeting, sports tournament or group tour.

"Delaware is affordable, easily accessible and offers diverse options including resort and coastline venues."

Through collaborative efforts with the tourism and hospitality industries, the Delaware Tourism Office has launched an aggressive sales and advertising campaign.

Over the past 10 months, the Delaware Tourism Office has been instrumental in establishing the Delaware Sports Commission, | kicking off th< Delaware Geocaching Trail anc launching the Delaware Win< and Ale Trail.





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