The Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (BACVB) has announced the recipients of the 2018 Champions in Tourism Awards. Now in their eighth year, the awards were established to recognize some of the individuals who have contributed greatly to the Bradenton Area’s visitation. The annual Tourism Ambassador Award—honoring an individual who represents the destination positively, engages in promoting and supporting area visitation and who has provided the best possible visitor experience—was presented to Karen Riley-Love by last year’s winner, PIER 22 Executive Chef and General Manager Greg Campbell. Riley-Love sits on the board of the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce and is directly involved with the city’s tourism outreach initiatives. She is a founding member of Friends of the DeSoto National Memorial and served as Director of the Florida Maritime Museum. In addition, BACVB Executive Director Elliott Falcione presented the second-ever Ed Hunzeker Hospitality Leadership Award. Created in 2017 to honor its namesake and first-ever recipient, County Administrator Ed Hunzeker, the award was presented to Doctor Patrick Moreo. Selected for exemplifying the leadership, vision and lasting impact reflected by Hunzeker, Dr. Moreo has served hospitality and tourism industries as an educator and administrator for more than 30 years, including as the dean of the College of Hospitality and Tourism Leadership at the University of South Florida and a FRLA Sarasota-Bradenton Chapter board member.

Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau