TTIA
will proudly present its
2016 Rising Star Award
to
Thomas Wilhelm, CTE
, State Parks Marketing and Branding Manager, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department at this year's
Texas Travel Summit
.
The Rising Star Award Presented by Southwest Airlines
is awarded to a
young professional in the Texas travel & tourism industry who is recognized for their accomplishments, demonstrated leadership, and commitment to the industry and TTIA.
"On behalf of TTIA's members and Southwest Airlines, I am pleased to recognize Thomas as a Rising Star in Texas travel & tourism," said David Teel, President & CEO. "He
helped reinvigorated the relationship between state parks, cities, destinations, other tourism advocates and TTIA, strengthening both the travel industry and the state park system."
After completing his CTE from TTIA's Travel & Tourism College, the first from Texas Parks & Wildlife
, Thomas established the State Park Promotions Team - the selection and development of a 20-person team of state park field staff dedicated to enhancing the marketing and promotion of the state park system through direct outreach and the creation of vital tourism partnerships. Since the initiation of the Promotions Team, State Park involvement in Tourism efforts have expanded exponentially, including record state park presence at TTIA's Unity Dinner, TTIA's Travel & Tourism College, Texas Travel Summit, Texas Travel Counselors Conference, and other industry events.
