Tina Bearfield Kaiser Realty Employee of Month: Tina Bearfield, Reservation Professional, has been named the Kaiser Realty Employee of the Month for January of 2012. “Tina is very personable and receptive to the needs of each guest that she speaks with,” stated Marsha Guyer, Reservation Manager. Bearfield’s hard work and dedication to Kaiser Realty, Inc. and the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area make her the perfect recipient of this award. Bearfield and her family relocated to the Gulf Shores area in 2005 after several wonderful visits to the area. Beginning her career with Kaiser Realty, Inc. in March of 2011, she has been a dedicated and charismatic member of the Reservations team since day one. “My favorite aspect of working at Kaiser Realty, Inc. is helping guests with their vacation needs,” stated Bearfield. “We have the most wonderful beaches in the world, and I love helping people create a memorable experience.”
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Perdido Beach Resort Earns top award: According to the December 2011 issue of ConventionSouth Magazine, Alabama meeting and event planners named the Perdido Beach Resort (PBR) in Orange Beach to the publication’s annual readers’ choice award list. “We are so proud of this award and truly honored to have been chosen by our clients and friends at ConventionSouth magazine,” said Tracy Adams, director of sales and marketing of PBR. “This award is earned through the teamwork and dedication of our staff and the support of our guests.”
Nestled on the beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast, Perdido Beach Resort, a full-service hotel is located directly on the expansive sugar-white beaches and emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The hotel features 346 luxury guestrooms each with a private balcony, 45,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor meeting space, multiple restaurants that include the award winning – Voyagers Restaurant, indoor/outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, tennis courts and much more. The Perdido Beach Resort is within walking distance of shopping, dining and entertainment. Located just two miles west of the Florida state line, about 45 minutes from Pensacola International Airport, or within a day’s drive from anywhere in the southeast.
“To have one of our local properties that is particularly popular with conventions and conferences named to this prestigious list, speaks volumes about the caliber of meeting facilities located along the Alabama Gulf Coast,” said Beth Gendler, vice-president of sales for Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism (CVB). “Many groups find a beach conference to be a welcomed meeting option as our inviting destination encourages guests to extend their stay in the area with family members.”
To learn more about the convention services of the CVB, go to www.gulfshores.com or orangebeach.com, and click on the conventions and meetings link.
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PBS TV Show Features Vacation Options Along the Alabama Gulf Coast: PBS viewers across the nation will soon follow four girlfriends as they explore the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area during a new realty television show. “Getting Away Together” is a new TV series airing on PBS member stations nationwide that showcases the increasingly popular trend of sharing vacation rentals with friends and family. From girlfriend getaways to family reunions and milestone celebrations, the series shows the benefits of vacationing together in spectacular rental properties across America. Locally, the show highlights the journey of long-time girlfriends Michele, Nicole, Rachel and Aimee (all of San Diego) as they visit the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, enjoy the area’s nature attractions, dine at several restaurants and shop in addition to spending time on the local beaches.
“Our trip to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach was everything you could want in a vacation and more: powder soft beaches, spectacular natural beauty, warm and friendly people and delicious regional seafood,” said Michele Predko. “We really did experience some of the best Alabama had to offer. It was amazing to be able to share that experience with some of my best friends. It’s a trip I will never forget!”
“Being included in a television series of this caliber will enable our beach message to reach PBS viewers across the nation,” said Herb Malone, president/CEO of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism, which collaborated with show producers throughout the episode’s development. “The vacation that these four girlfriends experienced is very similar to the countless other vacation getaways enjoyed by many women through the Southeast and Midwest. We are excited to expose more individuals to our sugar-white sand and numerous amenities.”
The “Getting Away Together” series began airing in October 2011 and consists of 13, 30-minute episodes featuring meaningful travel experiences in fun locales with vacation rentals as their home base.
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Rejuvenation Med Spa Opens in Orange Beach: The South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon – cutting to celebrate the recent opening of Rejuvenation Med Spa, a weight loss clinic located at 25814 Canal Road in Orange Beach. Rejuvenation Med Spa specializes in ZERONA, a non – invasive body contouring device that reduces fat and inches without harming cells in the body. ZERONA is the only clinically proven and FDA cleared, non-invasive body contouring treatment that promises absolutely zero pain and zero downtime. Achieves clinically significant results in just two weeks and you may also see a reduction in cellulite while starting a healthier lifestyle. Botox and Juvederm treatments are also available at Rejuvenation Med Spa which is open Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. To learn more visit www.Zerona.com or call Rejuvenation Med Spa at (251) 981- 4772.
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PILA SPEECH CONTEST HIGHLIGHTS LEADERSHIP-GULF SHORES: The Pleasure Island Leadership Association Chapter of the National Management Association (a leadership development organization) announces the 2nd annual Speech Contest to be held on March 15. Lolly Holk, PILA Speech Contest Committee Chairperson, states “We are honored to sponsor the NMA Speech Contest, which is open to all area high school and home-schooled students in grades 9 through 12.” Holk adds, “The purpose of the NMA Speech Contest is to promote a better understanding of leadership among high school age students. It also provides an incentive for the development of communication and public speaking skills that are vital to those entering the work force.”
Subject for the speech contest will be ‘How I can be a leader in my community?’ And the contest will be held at 5 p.m. on March 15 at the Meyer Corporate Office (1585 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores). For more details contact me at (251) 968-2963 or Shirley McCausland at (251) 968-6679.”
Ms. Holk further states, “This contest is held throughout the United States wherever there is a sponsoring NMA Chapter. The winner of the contest will be judged by volunteers from the local Toastmasters International Chapter and other community organizations.’’
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AL Gulf Coast CHAMBER PRESENTS ANNUAL AWARDS: The Alabama Gulf Coast Area Chamber of Commerce honored excellence in business and citizenship at its 19th Annual Meeting & Awards Dinner, held Friday, February 10 at the Erie Meyer Civic Center in Gulf Shores. The event was the venue for presentation of the Chamber’s 2011 Business of the Year Award. The honor was bestowed on popular Gulf Shores restaurant and entertainment facility The Hangout for its success as a business as much as for its economic impact on the Gulf Coast Region. In citing this impact, Ron Kutter, the Chamber’s Vice Chairman for the National Shrimp Festival pointed out the estimated $30 million in annual impact to the region for The Hangout’s annual music festival, now entering its third year.
The Chamber also honored Allen McElroy as its Distinguished Service Award recipient for 2011. In presenting the award, former Orange Beach City Councilwoman Iris Ethridge cited his virtually total involvement with almost every Chamber activity as well as his civic, community and church involvement.
The Chamber also honored Gulf Shores-Orange Beach Tourism President & CEO Herb Malone with its new ‘Sand in My Shoes” Award. Outgoing (2011) Chairman Joe McCarron explained that the award is not given for one specific achievement or even for involvement in a short-term activity. Rather, it is presented for a lifetime of achievement that results in the betterment of our region.
McCarron also presented a State of the Chamber address. “The state of your chamber is strong,” said McCarron, referring to the financial stability and fiscal progress of the organization. “We are also ‘volunteer-strong’,” he added, referring to the increase in the number of Chamber members involved in the organization’s activities.
Incoming (2012) Chairman Jo Hood outlined the priorities for the year, including the Chamber’s commitment to provide more value to its members, more two-way communications and a stronger governmental affairs voice. He also announced the development of a Chamber smartphone app, which is slated to be launched in late May.
The evening also included a silent auction to benefit the Coastal Baldwin Educational Enrichment Foundation (CBEE), as well as stand-up comedy and show band entertainment.