On Business: Visitors Bureau scores marketing hat trick | Raleigh News & Observer

The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau has received three Destination Marketing Achievement Awards (DMAA).

The bureau was honored for the Think Outside the Lunch Box print advertising campaign for the group market, highlighting Orange County’s conventional meeting spaces.

Is There a Secret Ingredient? Absolutely, featuring Crook’s Corner Chef Bill Smith was singled out for print advertising for the leisure market.

And the bureau’s Hats On to Fight Breast Cancer event was recognized with a best practices innovation award.

The DMAA honor and showcase innovation, best practices, creativity and outstanding efforts in destination marketing.

• The

Franklin Hotel

Chapel Hill has joined Hilton Worldwide with its designation as a Curio - A Collection by Hilton property. According to Hilton, the downtown hotel was selected for it strong connection to the community and tradition of excellence among guests. Curio is a “global collection of distinctive hotels that are woven into the fabric of their destinations.”

• 

Our Children’s Place

, a Chapel Hill nonprofit agency committed to the children of incarcerated parents, and

Mothers and Their Children

(MATCH), a family resources center within the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women (NCCIW), are teaming to expand the HATS (Handcrafted and Totally Special) program. Community donations of yarn are used by the women of NCCIW to handcraft hats, baby outfits, blankets and more, which are then displayed for donation at various events throughout the year. Donations will be used to support the awareness and outreach activities of Our Children’s Place and help with the transportation needs of children in the MATCH program.

• Breakfast restaurant chain

The Egg & I

has opened in the space of the former Piola Restaurant in Chapel Hill’s East 54 development. The chain, offering breakfast and lunch, has more than 100 locations throughout the country.

• 

Chapel Hill Training

is offering private and personal training sessions. The West Rosemary Street fitness studio will provide a complimentary initial assessment to design a personalized training program.

• 

Piedmont Electric Membership Corp

. has been recognized for success in the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Economic Development Grant (REDG) awards. In fiscal year 2014, Piedmont Electric received more REDG awards, in numbers and dollars than any other recipient in the nation. The Hillsborough nonprofit electric utility provides energy to 31,000 services in parts of Orange, Durham, Alamance, Caswell, Granville and Person counties. Notable award recipients include the Orange Rural Fire Department, which received $360,000 for the purchase of a new fire truck.

Persons of Interest

• Learning Outside has named

Susan Elkins Reda

to the position of development and communications coordinator. Learning Outside is a Chapel Hill nonprofit committed to providing children with hands-on outdoor experiences that enhance their lives and learning.

• The Greater Chapel Hill Association of REALTORS has recently held elections. Named as their new slate of officers are:

Randy Cox

, Coldwell Banker HPW;

Sandra Paul

, Allen Tate;

Jaye Kreller

, Tony Hall & Associates;

Kim Woodard

, Coldwell Banker Advantage; and,

Brett Bushnell

, Tri Local Realty. Newly-elected members to the board of directors are:

Claire Billingsley

, Coldwell Banker HPW;

Erin Daniel

, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices;

Michael Fox

, Coldwell Banker Advantage;

Melanie Girard

, Grapevine Management & Realty;

Vickie McDaniel

, Gates Management & Realty; and,

Jo Ellen Munsee

, Fonville Morisey.

Email Marlee Margulies at marlee@me.com.