Carlsbad Convention and Visitors Bureau to Award Hospitality Scholarships to Local Students
With all that's going up, including the cost of an education, the Carlsbad Convention and Visitors Bureau announced today that, for the first time in the organization's 23-years of service to this coastal California community, it will award up to 3 college scholarships to students who are in pursuit of a post-secondary degree in hospitality and tourism management.
Carlsbad, California (PRWEB) June 3, 2008
With all that's going up, including the cost of an education, the Carlsbad Convention and Visitors Bureau announced today that, for the first time in the organization's 23-years of service to this coastal California community, it will award up to 3 college scholarships to students who are in pursuit of a post-secondary degree in hospitality and tourism management.
"These scholarships are a long time coming," commented Kurt Burkhart, the bureau's Executive Director. "Our desire has always been to do this in partnership, and we feel fortunate to have found a partner with the San Diego County Board of Supervisors and, to the best of our knowledge, we'll be the first tourism bureau in San Diego County to directly award cash scholarships to students."
A year ago the Carlsbad CVB applied for, and was awarded, $2,000 by the County, and the bureau will match that amount by another $2,000. Of that, three scholarships will be presented to students who are selected in a competitive review by local tourism officials.
Finalists will receive their scholarships at an awards recognition luncheon in October.
Nancy Nayudu, board chairwoman for the Carlsbad CVB and owner of the Pelican Cove Inn, reflected on the importance of today's announcement. "This industry (hospitality and tourism)
Is incredibly important to many, many communities in our country as evidenced of jobs that were created in 2007 and into this year that were largely in the hospitality industry," she said. "We have this opportunity to give back to our community in a small way that will make a huge difference in the lives of so many, including the recipients of these scholarships." She also expressed gratitude to San Diego County 5th District Supervisor, Bill Horn, for helping to make this year's scholarships possible.
On June 9, the bureau will again speak before the San Diego County Board of Supervisors to seek funding to support additional scholarships that can be awarded next year. "We view this as a win-win for everyone," Burkhart said as to why this program has such widespread support. "There is no better way to achieve success through this program than by having a partnership where mutual benefit is achieved."
There are residency and other mandatory requirements that need to be met before an application will be considered, such as having a minimum GPA of 3.0, San Diego County residency and the submission of a 500-word essay. Applicants may be asked to meet with the review committee, with a final decision by August.
Application deadline to the Carlsbad Convention and Visitors Bureau is July 15, 2008.
For more information, prospective applicants can call (800) CARLSBAD or write to the Carlsbad Convention and Visitors Bureau, Attn: Scholarship Application, 400 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008. Applications are also available for download online at www. visitcarlsbad. com.
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