Press Release: Tourism Volunteers Recognized at Annual AMBIEs Ceremony
PRESS RELEASE
October 25, 2021
For immediate release
Contact:
Emily McMaster
Communications Director
NH Granite State Ambassadors
Tourism Volunteers Recognized at Annual AMBIEs Ceremony
Manchester, NH – NH Granite State Ambassadors (NHGSA) recently recognized almost 100 NH tourism volunteers for their efforts at the Annual AMBIEs Awards Event at The Falls Event Center on October 20, 2021.
New Hampshire Granite State Ambassadors (GSAs) are volunteers, industry professionals, and residents of New Hampshire who have been trained and certified as NH information specialists who welcome the world to New Hampshire. You can find them at visitor centers, special events, chambers, and many other locations throughout the state. In their role as the friendly, knowledgeable face of New Hampshire, the Granite State Ambassador volunteers strive to help every person they meet have the best New Hampshire experience possible — building on the hard work the NH Division of Travel & Tourism, Manchester-Boston Regional Airport and our state’s chambers of commerce do to invite these traveling guests here.
“Our GSAs have persevered through a pandemic, as they continue to contribute their time and show their dedication to our organization,” said Gretchen Ziegler, Chair of the Board of Directors for Granite State Ambassadors. “We are so grateful to our volunteers for their steadfast support of GSA during a challenging time period.”
Our most prestigious award, 2021 GSA of the Year, was presented to Maureen Walsh of Bedford; the Hospitality of the Heart award was given to Pat Storm of Hooksett; the Judi Window – It’s Always Sunny in NH award recipient was Bruce Flegal of Bedford; and the Service Award was presented to Nick Wallner of Concord.
This year’s Special Merit Awards included The Rookie of the Year award, given to Dawn Brockett of Hampton; the Dynamic Duo award was presented to Kathie Rice Orshak and Mark Orshak of Manchester; the Industry Award recipient was Nicole Doolan of Bureau of Visitor Services; the Partnership Award was presented to Nigel Manley of The Rocks / Society of Protection of NH Forests; and the When Life Gives You Lemons recipients were Virginia Drew and Margaret Waterhouse of the NH Statehouse Visitor Center.
“So far in 2021, 240 GSAs served over 11,000 hours at a variety of welcome centers and events,” said Kelly Bryer, the Executive Director for Granite State Ambassadors. “One third of these hours were from 180 GSAs who participated in learning opportunities such as trainings, workshops, lectures, tours, and interviews.”
About New Hampshire Granite State Ambassadors
New Hampshire Granite State Ambassadors add value to state agencies, local businesses, and individuals through a training and service support network that sustains and enhances the New Hampshire experience. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization, NHGSA serves hundreds of travel and tourism-related businesses.
Find out more about NHGSA, Inc. at https://nhgranitestateambassadors.org/ Our key partners are the NH Division of Travel and Tourism and the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport.
