Dana Lodge, CVB and Events Director for Visit Garland, was recently recognized for her excellence in Texas Hospitality. The recognition took place at the 36th Annual Texas Travel Summit in Amarillo, September 13-15, 2021, hosted by Texas Travel Alliance (TTA).
TTA awards the Hospitality Award to individuals for their commitment to providing excellence in hospitality and raising the bar on customer service in 2021. Since her arrival to Visit Garland in early 2020, Dana began her mission - to ensure that Garland stood out as a premier destination in Texas.
Three months into the job, Dana was undaunted that the pandemic had halted the many plans for promoting Garland. Her entire adult career has been in the hospitality industry; armed with her knowledge and experience, she preceded to weather any storm ahead of her.
Her experience includes the creation of the North Texas Horse Country Tours, a tourism product that helped her drive a large number of group tour operators through the North Texas area. Dana's ability to connect group business clients to excellent experiences along with tourism-related sales experience was vital in the program's success and state recognition.
Dana is a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP). The Convention Industry Council designed the CMP in 1985 as "The foremost certification of the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry. The CMP program recognizes individuals who have achieved the industry's highest standard of professionalism and proficiency."