Andrew Nixon, CCVB president and CEO, presented Briska with the award. Nixon said the CCVB selected Briska due to his dedication and highly effective work to preserve and promote the lighthouse as an attraction for visitors to the area. The lighthouse attracts thousands of tourists and motor coach visitors to the area each year as well as the recent addition of group functions like weddings, reunions, and parties.

“The Dunkirk Lighthouse is a top attraction in the Dunkirk and Lake Erie shoreline area,” Nixon said.

Briska performs several key roles at the Dunkirk Lighthouse including administrator, tour guide, historian, lead contractor, and grant writer. Nixon described Briska as “a visionary” in terms of improving the lighthouse grounds and working to preserve the overall site, which sits atop cliffs overlooking Lake Erie.

“David not only works diligently to keep the historic lighthouse attraction open and operational, but he engages directly and professionally with tourists and patrons, providing a very memorable, informative, and humorous experience,” Nixon said. “It is easy to take for granted that places like the Dunkirk Lighthouse will always be with us. The truth is that without dedicated people like David Briska, the lighthouse would have ceased to be operational several years ago. That would be a tremendous loss for the area. We all owe David a debt of gratitude for his hard work, determination, and ongoing commitment.”

Nick Scott Jr., vice president of Scott Enterprises, delivers the keynote presentation at the 68th CCVB annual meeting, which took place in Bistro 210 at Peek’n Peak Resort.

The award was presented during the bureau’s annual meeting held recently at Peek’n Peak Resort.

Nick Scott Jr., vice president of Scott Enterprises, delivered the keynote presentation at the 68th annual meeting, which took place in Bistro 210. Scott discussed the history of Scott Enterprises and Peek’n Peak Resort as well as future plans for development. Scott Enterprises purchased Peek’n Peak in 2011 and has made more than $20 million in improvements to the property, Scott said. Prior to the purchase, Peek’n Peak had fallen into disrepair due to a lack of preventive maintenance. Scott Enterprises gutted and renovated the Inn at the Peak, invested in roofs, HVAC systems and more. The company also invested in improved snowmaking capabilities, ski lifts, and snowcats.

Peek’n Peak has added an adventure park featuring a ropes course and ziplines. Recent additions include a paintball course, premium beach volleyball nets, and a renovated spa featuring an infrared sauna, luxury salt suite, hydro jet massage and more. These additions join Peek’n Peak’s 26 ski slopes, terrain parks and snow tubing as well as a golf course rated 4 ½ stars by Golf Digest. Scott said the company has plans for further developments at Peek’n Peak which would draw even more visitors.

Diandra Morgan, Chautauqua Harbor Hotel general manager and CCVB Board chair, led the business meeting attended by 90 representatives of local destinations.

The event took place during National Travel and Tourism Week, which recognizes the travel industry’s contributions to the U.S. economy. Travel generates $3 trillion in economic output and supports 15 million jobs nationwide.

In Chautauqua County, visitor spending contributes more than $313 million to the area annually. This spending infuses area businesses with revenue that would otherwise not exist within the community. More than $24 million in local taxes and $18 million in taxes for New York State are supported by visitor spending.