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Community wishes Salazar well during reception |
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Friday, 16 January 2009 |
By PAUL SIMS
Starkville Daily News
Well-wishers gathered in the Greater Starkville Development Partnership lobby Thursday afternoon to send off a long-time division head who is headed to work in the private sector.
Arma delaCruz Salazar, the GSDP’s vice president of tourism and retirement development, is bound for the marketing director’s position with University Management Inc., the management company for the Columbus-based EatWithUs Group.
EatWithUs Group includes Bulldog Deli, Sweet Peppers, The Grill, Harvey’s and Park Heights.
Salazar’s service at the GSDP spanned seven and a half years.
She says the reaction she’s received from people who have heard she was leaving the GSDP “has been overwhelming.”
“It just really validates the hard work the Partnership and I have done to improve the quality of life here in Starkville,” she said. Salazar says she’s gotten to know a lot about Starkville and built new relationships. Plus, “the experience I’ve had here will only help me in the future,” she said.
During her time with the GSDP, Salazar managed a budget of more than $300,000, put in place the sponsorship application process for organizations and individuals asking for financial backing for tourism events and projects — for a seven-year combined total of $250,000.
With the sponsorships, visitors arrived in Starkville, leading to an 18 percent increase in the Food and Beverage Tax and a 38 percent rise in the Hotel Tax – both over the past seven years.
Also, Salazar’s marketing and advertising campaign led to a climb in inquiries about Starkville – and therefore potential visits – by more than 25 percent.
Her effort to recruit retirees is ongoing through a recently distributed DVD on retirement sent to more than 1,800 Mississippi State University alumni.
The Oktibbeha County Economic Development Authority supplied sponsorship money for the project.
Starkville remains one of only 21 Certified Retirement cities in the state.
Salazar also brought recognition to the community through the designation of the American Association of Retirement Cities Seal of Approval.
She earned the Governor’s Conference on Tourism CVB of the Year Award in 2007.
In 2005, Salazar obtained her Southeast Tourism Society Marketing College Travel Marketing Professional (TMP) certification.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 17 January 2009 )
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