SALISBURY — The North of Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau recently held its 2023 Annual Meeting and Tourism Awards Ceremony at the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem. Members, local chambers of commerce, destination marketing organizations and supporters of tourism in Essex County all honored colleagues who are making a difference as champions in the industry.
Awards were presented to the following recipients:
2023 Anne Turcotte Leadership Award: Rhonda and Steve Woodman, Woodman’s of Essex2023 Geoff Woodman Hospitality Award: Jill Gray, Hampton Inn by Hilton, Salem2023 Story Teller Award: John Andrews, Creative Collective, Salem2023 Small Business Award: Maritime Gloucester2023 Frontline Hospitality Award: Caleb McMurphy, Hammond Castle, Gloucester2023 New Member Award: North Shore Children’s Museum, Peabody2023 Award of Appreciation: Massachusetts state Rep. Jerald Parisella
The Annual Dinner, which was sponsored by the Hawthorne Hotel, Marble Ridge Winery, Sperling Interactive and the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, also recognized the new and departing NBCVB board members and highlighted accomplishments and future initiatives.
Incoming Executive Board:
John Orlando, Chair – The Harborview Inn in GloucesterKaren Nascembeni, Vice Chair – North Shore Music Theatre in BeverlyJames O’Brien, Treasurer – Topsfield Fair in TopsfieldBethany Groff Dorau, Secretary – Museum of Old NewburyTara B. Bassett, At Large – Boston Marriott PeabodyDoneeca Thurston, At Large – Lynn Museum/LynnArtsJennifer Close, Past Chair – Peabody Essex Museum in Salem
Board of Directors:
Joe Bevilacqua – Merrimack Valley Chamber of CommerceLynne Blangiardi – Hampton Inn & Homewood Suites by Hilton Boston-PeabodySarah Boucher – Briar Barn Inn, a Bramble Hospitality propertyJo Broderick – Montserrat College of Art in BeverlyStacia Cooper – Destination SalemTobin Dominick – Cape Ann’s Marina Resort — Mile Marker One Waterfront RestaurantJeanne Hennessey – Beauport Hospitality Group in GloucesterKate Martin – Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce & IndustryTess McColgan – Discover GloucesterGia Page – Davio’s LynnfieldChristopher SicuranzaRobert Simonelli – The Landing Restaurant in MarbleheadJoshua Smith – Hampton Inn by Hilton, Salem BostonNancy Gardella – North of Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau, Executive Director
New Directors:
John Moynihan – Firehouse Center for the Arts, NewburyportValerie Rosenberg – Cider Hill Farm, AmesburyDanielle Turner — Turner Seafood, Salem
Departing Directors:
Mayor Kassandra Gove – City of AmesburyAnn Ormond – Town of AndoverNate Allard – Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce & Industry