Idaho Division of Tourism Announces New Council Members

6/12/2009
Boise, Idaho (June 12, 2009)—The Idaho Division of Tourism is pleased to announced the Governor’s appointment of Diane Newman and Dick Andersen to the Idaho Travel Council (ITC), effective July 1, 2009.

Diane Newman is currently the Director of Sales & Catering at the Best Western Burley Inn & Convention Center in Burley, a position she has held for the past nine years.  Newman is actively involved in the promotion of tourism to South Central Idaho and holds or has held several positions in the industry including board member for the Idaho Lodging & Restaurant Association, Co-Chairman for Southern Idaho Hospitality, and President of the Mini-Cassia Chamber of Commerce in 2005.

She is also a member of the Idaho Society of Association Executives, Grow Southern Idaho Site Selectors, and the Rupert Kiwanis Club.

Diane and her husband, Rob Newman, currently reside in Rupert. 

Newman will replace outgoing councilman John Webster as the Region 4 representative.

Dick Andersen is also no stranger to the tourism industry, having worked for the Sun Valley Company for more than 30 years in various capacities. Starting in 1977 as the Food Service and Beverage Manager, he then moved on to Night Manager, and currently serves as Director of Hotels and Condominiums, a position he has held since 1981.

Andersen also worked for the Holiday Inn Corporation and Little America in Flagstaff, Arizona and was a member of the U.S. Army.  

Andersen will replace outgoing councilman Brent Gillette, a fellow Sun Valley Company employee, as the Region 7 representative.

Both representatives will report for their first ITC meeting on August 4-5 at Schweitzer Mountain Resort in Sandpoint, where more than 3 million in grant dollars will be awarded.

Growing Idaho’s economy by increasing visitor expenditures throughout the state is the goal of the Idaho Travel Council and the Tourism Development Division. Tourism contributes over 3 billion dollars to the state economy.

The Idaho Travel Council is an eight-member, private-sector advisory board appointed by the Governor.

Members include:
REGION I: J.J. Jaeger, Coeur d’Alene Resort on the Lake
REGION II: Frances Conklin, Dog Bark Park Inn B&B
REGION III: John May, Owyhee Plaza
REGION IV: Diane Newman, Best Western Burley Inn & Convention Center
REGION V: Bill Code, Marriott Towne Place Suites
REGION VI: Tadd Jenkins, Vice Chair, Bish’s RV Super Center
REGION VII: Dick Andersen, Sun Valley Resort
AT-LARGE, Paul Norton, Silverwood Theme Park

www.visitidaho.org

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News tag(s): Travel