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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Bureau honors Inland Northwest tourism boosters

From Staff Reports

The Spokane Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau board of directors has named Jack Lucas, president of Tickets- West and WestCoast Entertainment, the bureau’s 2010 Extraordinary Leadership in Tourism Excellence Award winner. Lucas was honored Thursday at the Inland Northwest Tourism Awards.

Lucas began his career three decades ago as an usher for Entertainment Services Association, the company that provided ushering and security services for the Spokane Convention Center, Spokane Coliseum (Spokane Arena) and the Spokane Opera House (INB Performing Arts Center).

He leads Spokane’s Best of Broadway series, now in its 24th season.

In 2009, TicketsWest processed close to 10 million tickets, and WestCoast Entertainment presented productions from Anchorage, Alaska, to Spokane. The companies are part of Spokane-based Red Lion Hotels Corp.

Other CVB awards presented Thursday were:

•Festivals & Events Award: 2010 U.S. Figure Skating Championships

•Attraction Award: Silverwood Theme Park

•Near Nature, Near Perfect Award: ROW Adventures

•Spirit of the Inland Northwest Award: Spokane Transit Authority

•In the Bag Award: Aveda

•Top Table Award: Wild Sage American Bistro

•White Glove Award: Bo Bohannon, Northern Quest Resort & Casino

•Silver Spoon Award: Wendale Ellis, Carl’s Jr. Restaurant, on Third Avenue

•First Impression Sales Award: Dana Divine, The Davenport Hotel and Tower and Hotel Lusso

•First Impression Retail Sales Award: Colleen Yellin, The Davenport Hotel and Tower

•First Impression Hotel Award: Nathan Gray, The Davenport Hotel and Tower

•First Impression Transportation Award: Jules Dossou Azatassou, Daj Taxi Cab

•Heart of the House Award: Ryan Wilson, Spokane Public Facilities District

•Rising Star Award: Linda Yeomans, Historic Preservation Planning & Design

•Hospitality Volunteer of the Year: Tracy Niles, Star U.S.A.

•Tourism Professional of the Year: Barb Beddor, Star U.S.A.

•Certified Tourism Ambassador Star Award: Dan Hall, Downtown Spokane Partnership