Greeley tourism on the table at luncheon

The city of Greeley's hospitality industry was honored Wednesday as the Greeley Convention and Visitors Bureau observed National Tourism Week at a Union Colony Civic Center luncheon.

Six Greeley third-graders also were recognized as postcard winners they drew based on the theme "Greeley, Great. From the Ground Up." Those postcards will be used throughout the year in materials sent by the CVB to prospective visitors to Greeley.

Greeley Mayor Ed Clark said tourism is a vital part of the city's economy and in turn enhances the quality of life enjoyed by Greeley residents.

"We appreciate the visitors who come here and we appreciate those who work in the visitor industry," Clark said.

Steven Kahla, director of continuing education at Aims Community College and chairman of the CVB board of directors, said the work completed by the CVB would be impossible without the help of elected officials in Greeley and Weld County.

Vicki Sears, a CVB board member, said the quality of lodging facilities and their employees "plays an important role in bringing people to Greeley."

Chris Woodruff, Weld County Assessor and another board member, said the CVB had 180 postcard entries from third graders in Greeley-Evans School District 6. This year, the students were asked to submit 8 inch by 11 inch posters using the city's new theme.

"Sometimes, adults don't see the same thing as kids see and this is a good lesson for us to see what the kids think make Greeley great," Woodruff said.

He said the choosing the six winners was not an easy job, noting each of the winners will get Wal-Mart gift cards as well as seeing their cards used in materials "sent throughout the world" by the CVB.

2008 Outstanding Lodging Employees:

Monica Acosta, Regency Hotel.

Justina Anderson, Greeley Guest House.

Lynde Berg, Fairfield Inn by Marriott.

Ruth Garcia, Greeley Holiday Inn Express.

Daniela Guillen-Santos, Select Stay.

Alicia Hernandez, Hampton Inn & Suites.

Bev Martinez, America's Best Value Inn.

Maria Reyes, Days Inn.

Juanita Wray, Country Inn & Suites by Carlson.

2008 Postcard Winners:

Kianna Antuna, Shawsheen Elementary School.

Ruben Gomez, Centennial Elementary School.

Isayah Lang, Chappelow Elementary School.

Remi Ruiz Martinez, Winograd Elementary School.

Natalie Sherman, Frontier Academy.

Stephanie Vargas Aguilar, Madison Elementary School.