A Week In Business

A Week In Business
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Contractor Makes Addition

SALISBURY – Gillis Gilkerson, Inc., General Contractors, Construction Management, in Salisbury, has announced the addition of Barbara J. Stack of Berlin to the firm for Business Development.

Stack’s diverse 25 years of architectural and construction experience began as an architectural design apprentice for many years under G. Donald Bowen of Salisbury. 15 years of design experience, Stack decided to venture “over the line” and worked with residential builders and general contractors to gain the experience of construction project management.

“I am happy to return to downtown Salisbury. It feels like I have come home. My architectural design background has taught me to see new opportunities and my construction background has given me the appreciation of good scheduling, management and business practices,” she said. “I am thrilled to work at Gillis Gilkerson because I am very familiar with the company, and the kind of people they are – they had built many of my projects while I was working in architectural design. It’s great to see that so many people in this company have worked here for over 15 years. I am proud to be associated with this established and well respected commercial contractor.”

Company Helps Cause

OCEAN CITY – On Friday, Oct. 10, the Coldwell Banker Retrievers hosted the 3rd Annual Wine Tasting Benefit to raise funds for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.

The event generated approximately $750 and an additional $1,080 from the K-Coast surfboard raffle. Along with other fundraisers held throughout the year, The Retrievers have raised close to $4,000 with one final event to go. On Saturday, Oct. 25, they will take part in the 2-mile Light the Night Walk on the Boardwalk. Participants meet at the Inlet at 6pm and begin walking shortly after. The walk is followed by a dinner provided by Outback Steakhouse.

Agent Earns Designation

BERLIN – Ocean Pines sales agent Gail Dieman was recently awarded the Accredited Buyer Representation (ABR) designation. The ABR designation is the benchmark of excellence in buyer representation. This coveted designation is awarded to real estate practitioners by the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council of the National Association of Realtors who meet the specified educational and practical experience criteria.

Dieman, a licensed agent in Maryland and Delaware with over 20 years of professional experience, also holds the designation of Certified e-PRO Internet Professional.

“Gail is one of those agents that doesn’t wait for business to happen. She gets out there, works hard and gets things done,” said Branch Vice President Pete Copenhaver. “I’m very pleased to have her on our team.”

Annual Award Announced

BERLIN – Marlene Ott, a a Re/Max Premier Properties Realtor® and Associate Broker, has been awarded the 2008 Businesswoman of the Year Award by the Coastal Delmarva Chapter of the Women’s Council of RealtorsÒ (WCR). This annual award recognizes a Realtor® member who fully exercises their potential as an entrepreneur and real estate industry leader and who shares their time, talent and expertise with others in the profession and in the community.

Ott has been a member of WCR for 27 years and was the founding president of the Coastal Delmarva chapter. She has been a Realtor® for 30 years and demonstrates her commitment to the real estate industry by continuing her education. She has obtained the designations of GRI, CRS, LTG, SRES and Broker.

“Marlene has been one of my mentors over the years. I will never forget her words of wisdom as I stepped into my leadership role and began speaking publicly. ‘Stand tall, stand confident and never apologize for the way you are speaking. They will love you in spite of it all,’” said Terri Bradford, Immediate Past-President of the Chapter.

Company Featured In Magazine

OCEAN CITY – Fractured Prune the donut shoppe was selected to be featured as one of the top doughnut shops in America, as chosen by Saveur magazine, an upscale gourmet food magazine sold only in bookstores, Whole Food Grocers and specialty food stores. They will be featured in the October 2008 issue.

Event Earns High Marks

OCEAN CITY – The American Bus Association (ABA) has announced that Ocean City’s Winterfest of Lights, set this year for Nov. 20- Jan. 1, has been designated one of the Top 100 Events in North America for 2009 by an elite tourism industry selection committee.

Winterfest has made the Top 100 ABA list in previous years, as well. Inclusion in the Top 100 list, published as a supplement to the September/October issue of Destinations magazine, indicates that Winterfest of Lights offers excellent entertainment value to both tour groups and individual travelers from around the world, said ABA.

“The attractiveness of Winterfest of Lights as a don’t-miss entertainment value is only part of why its selection this year is such a distinction for Ocean City,” said Peter J. Pantuso, ABA’s president and CEO. “The real news here is that Winterfest has been recognized as a potential magnet for tourism dollars, at a time when reenergizing domestic tourism is so important to our spirit and our economy. The honor gives Ocean City an important boost in visibility among professional tour planners.”

According to studies completed by researchers at the George Washington University and Dunham and Associates, one overnight visit by a motorcoach group can leave from $5,000 to more that $13,000 in a local destination’s economy. Those dollars are spent on lodging, meals, admissions, fees, shopping, souvenirs, services and local taxes.

 “Simply put,” said Pantuso, “motorcoach groups spend more and stay longer. That’s why Winterfest is truly a local economic asset. There is no better way to jump-start tourism than to attract motorcoach groups to a great event and convince them to extend their stay.”

ABA’s 2009 Top 100 Events Selection Committee selected Ocean City’s Winterfest of Lights from among hundreds of U.S. and Canadian events nominated by state and provincial tourism offices and convention and visitors bureaus. Judges considered the event’s broad appeal, its accessibility to motorcoaches and skill at handling large groups, and a variety of other relevant criteria.

Franchise Honored

BERLIN – Curves, the world’s largest franchisor of fitness clubs, has announced that the Ocean City/Fenwick Island Curves club has earned the prestigious Franchisee of the Year award as a Shining Star club. This recognition is given to clubs that meet rigorous standards in their business practices, service quality, and adherence to the Curves methods.

"At the heart of the Shining Star program lies a desire to provide a consistent experience at every Curves location," said Corporate Communications Manager Becky Frusher. "Members expect to receive the same great quality and service no matter where they go, and the Shining Star program will enable us to provide that. To be recognized as a Franchisee of the Year is an honor of highest distinction for a franchise."

Ocean City/Fenwick Island Curves franchise owner Alana Stream said, "Becoming a Shining Star Club wasn’t easy but it taught us the principles of an elite club and we implemented those standards which furthered our distinction and led to our franchise being honored with Franchisee of the Year. We were presented with a beautiful trophy at the annual Curves convention in Orlando, Fla. We are proud to share that recognition with our Ocean City/Fenwick Island members. Our members jumped through our doors Monday morning to hear the news. To say they were excited is an understatement especially when they saw our trophy and professional photograph taken with Diane and Gary Heavin, founders of Curves International.”