January 6-10, 2020 NC TRAVEL NEWS

A weekly newsletter on General Assembly news relevant to the North Carolina tourism industry

Silent Auction at Visit General Assembly Retirements Announced 365 Conference Candidate filing for the General Assembly ended December 20, 2019 and when it was all said and done, the news was less about who is running for the General Assembly and more about who is not on the ballot in November.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Brown (R-Onslow/Jones) The North Carolina Tourism is the most powerful legislator to step aside. Other Education Foundation — a retiring members from the Senate include Senators Sen. Harry Brown foundation created by NCTIA — John Alexander (R-Wake/Franklin), (R- is sponsoring its annual Silent Alamance/Guilford), Floyd McKissick (D-Durham), Auction at the 2020 Visit NC 365 (D-Buncombe), (R- Conference in Asheville, NC on Johnston/Nash), and Andy Wells (R-Catawba/ March 22-24. Alexander).

Throughout the Visit NC 365 On the House side, Rep. Linda Johnson (R-Cabarrus) Conference, written bids will be and Rep. Chuck McGrady (R-Henderson), both senior accepted for an exciting array of chairs of the powerful House Appropriations Sen. Floyd McKissick travel adventures, services and Committee, announced they are stepping down. merchandise from North Carolina. All donations are tax Other House members not seeking reelection include deductible. Rep. Debra Conrad (R-Forsyth), Rep. (R-Wake), Rep. Chaz Beasley (R-Mecklenburg), “The silent auction supports a Rep. (R-Franklin/Nash), and Rep. combination of undergraduate (R-Davidson). scholarships and graduate scholarships for students (Reps. Barnes and Jarvis are running for the NC Senate attending North Carolina and will be on the ballot in November if they secure colleges or universities in the Republican Party’s nomination on May 3.) Rep. Linda Johnson tourism or hospitality “We are seeing the beginning of a major transition in management programs,” said the General Assembly, particularly in the Senate, with NCTIA Executive Director Vince the retirement announcement of Senator Brown, Chelena. “The organization whose tenure goes back twenty years to the days of also supports continuing Senator Marc Basnight,” said NCTIA Executive Director education programs for tourism Vince Chelena. “In addition to Rep. McGrady, our professionals at conferences like most ardent supporters are in the Senate, and we are the NC Tourism Leadership working hard within the General Assembly to educate Conference.” the next generation of leaders on our importance to Rep. Chuck McGrady Email the North Carolina economy.” kay@themanagementoffice.com Senators Van Duyn and Wells and Representatives Holley and Beasley are to learn how you can donate running for Lieutenant Governor and will be in primary elections on March items for the silent auction. 3 as they vie for their party’s nominations. If successful, they will be on the ballot in November.