TIEC receives Spirit of North Carolina award

Erin O'Leary Whitock and Ann O'Leary at Bubba's General Store at WNC Main Street. (Contributed photo)

The Visit NC Tourism Conference held in Hickory recently received enthusiastic reviews for the speakers, educational sessions and hospitality events. Nearly 520 attendees gathered to discuss timely topics, network and connect with each other while welcoming new faces to the annual conference. Visit NC would like to thank everyone involved with making the conference such a big success, including the dedicated attendees from across the state and the sponsors who, without them, this conference would not be possible.The event was hosted by Hickory Metro CVB and the Hickory Metro Convention Center.

A contingent of Rutherford County tourism leaders and officials attended the conference.

On Monday at the tourism conference, Visit NC's Wit Tuttell and NC Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley presented the Spirit of North Carolina awards, honoring seven individuals, organizations and communities for their work with Hurricane Helene relief. "Communities came together and people from all across the state stepped up to help," Tuttell explained, in introducing the award. "But some people and places went beyond just helping and really made a difference with their sacrifice of time, effort and money."

Among award winners was the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) in Mill Spring.

With Chimney Rock Village damaged beyond recognition, the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring offered businesses space for temporary shops and extended the neighborly offer to others in the region, said Tuttell. The presence of businesses from Chimney Rock, Lake Lure, Asheville and Hendersonville in the resort's International Pavilion created the WNC Main Street experience. The initiative, which is still going strong, has provided a lifeline to the shops and given residents and visitors a place to support economic recovery with spirits lifted even higher by original Chimney Rock Village sign set up at the pavilion.

Located in the Second Floor of the International Pavilion, WNC Main Street is open Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 11am-4pm, Friday and Saturday from 10am-7pm.