LUBBOCK, Texas (PRESS RELEASE) — The following is a press release from Visit Lubbock:

In partnership with the Lubbock Hotel Motel Association (LHMA), Visit Lubbock hosted the Live Love Lubbock Luncheon on Wednesday, May 8 in celebration of National Travel & Tourism Week at The Willows Event Center.

The luncheon honored Lubbock’s ambassadors and professionals of the travel, tourism and hospitality industry. Awards were also given to individuals who have established recognition, accomplished success, created positive change and built notoriety in the industry.

The LHMA presented the annual Tourism Trumpeter Award to Tim Collins, chairman of the board for the Lubbock Entertainment / Performing Arts Association (LEPAA). The Tourism Trumpeter Award is given to an individual outside of the travel, tourism and hospitality industry who has made a positive impact on the local industry.

“It is a blessing to have people like Tim Collins in our community,” said Rob Meyer, owner of Arbor Hotels and president of the LHMA. “His ability to lead is what makes Tim a great Trumpeter for LHMA and Lubbock, Texas.”

As the chairman of the board for LEPAA, Tim Collins promotes The Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences, a $155 million, privately funded project scheduled to open in the spring of 2020. Along with his role at LEPAA, Tim owns and operates Collins Tile, LLC.  Throughout his career, Tim has served in roles such as the chairman for the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce and, more recently, the chairman of the board for the Lubbock Economic Development Alliance and Visit Lubbock. He is known as a man of integrity and a leader dedicated to bettering Lubbock. 

This year’s Heart of Hospitality Award, given to an individual with five or more years of experience in the industry, was awarded to Janie Zuniga, sales manager for MCM Elegante Hotel & Suites. Known for her dedication to her clients, Janie encourages her teammates through her selfless example.

The Rising Star Award, given to an individual with five years or less of experience in the industry, was awarded to Brenda Perez, director of sales for the Lubbock Holiday Inn South. Perez is known for setting her mind to something and achieving it, all the while building up her team. 

“The passion of these professionals proves to be integral to the success of their organizations,” said John Osborne, president and CEO of Visit Lubbock and the Lubbock Economic Development Alliance. “During their time in the travel and tourism industry, these individuals help us maintain Lubbock’s welcoming and hospitable reputation for visitors and locals alike.”

Luncheon attendees also learned about travel’s positive impact in the Lubbock community. For more information about the impact of tourism, go to VisitLubbock.org. For more information about the LHMA, visit lubbockhotelmotel.org.

To celebrate the tourism industry and its benefits, the U.S. Congress passed a joint resolution in 1983 to designate the first full week of May as National Travel & Tourism Week. The week is celebrated so that local citizens may become educated and excited about what their city has to offer for visitors and how the money spent by tourists positively affects the local economy.

(This is a press release from Visit Lubbock.)