HIGH POINT — The staff of Visit High Point collected two awards at the recent 2024 North Carolina Tourism Industry Association Tourism Leadership Conference.
Dana East, VHP’s director of event strategy, was named the 2024 Destination Marketing Organization of North Carolina Rising Star, and Visit High Point won the Tourism Marketing Achievement Award for its Vacation Rental Design Summit.
Since joining Visit High Point, East has played a pivotal role in elevating the city’s events profile, said Melody Burnett, Visit High Point president.
“Dana’s commitment to creating impactful events and fostering collaboration with our partners has transformed High Point’s event strategy,” she said. “Her leadership and vision have brought more attention to our city, and this recognition is a testament to her remarkable contributions.”
The VRD Summit, led by High Point by Design and held in conjunction with the High Point Market, educated designers, Realtors and property managers on strategies to succeed in the short-term-rental market. One-third of the 174 attendees were first-time High Point Market participants and 26% were new buyers.
Jane Dagmi, managing director of High Point by Design, called it an example of a strategic partnership that can create new opportunities for the city.
“This initiative not only extended visitors’ stays in High Point but also positioned our community as a leader in design tourism. Winning this award underscores the power of innovation and collaboration in achieving our long-term tourism goals,” she said.