North Carolina Coast Host has named local hotelier Kip Damrow Hospitality Person of the Year, Southern Region.

Damrow, director of sales for Interstate Hotels & Resorts, will receive his award at the NC Coast Host’s annual meeting and awards luncheon January 19 at the N.C. Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. He and recipients in other tourism categories are being honored because of their contributions to the tourism and hospitality industry.

Interstate Hotels & Resort manages the Courtyard by Marriott Wilmington-Wrightsville Beach and the Hilton Garden Inn Mayfaire Town Center.

After arriving in Wilmington in mid-2007, Damrow noted a lack of cohesiveness in the hospitality sector and addressed the problem by re-forming the dormant New Hanover Hotel-Motel Association, now known as the Wilmington Area Hospitality Association (WAHA). He is currently serving his third term as president of the association.

Monique Baker, Pender County tourism director, nominated Damrow for the award. She says that hotel sales professionals have demanding jobs, making it difficult for them to find time for civic involvement.

“Kip seems to have a good way of balancing his job obligations and his service to the industry and the community,” she said.

Baker noted that Damrow has been secretary and vice president of the Wilmington Central Rotary and liaison for the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. He participated in 2011 Leadership Wilmington, and served on the Convention and Visitors Bureau Sports Marketing Committee. His civic involvement also includes work with Hospitality for the Homeless, Good Shepherd Center, and Banana Republic’s fashion show benefiting Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

NC Coast Host is a membership organization comprised of tourism professionals, businesses and non-profits that are located along North Carolina’s coastline.  Its primary mission is to increase economic growth by promoting travel and tourism in Eastern North Carolina. For information, visit www.coasthost-nc.com