Elizabeth Eddins, Director of Tourism with the Beaumont Convention and Visitors Bureau is now a Certified Tourism Executive (CTE) after completing a three year intensive course called Texas Travel & Tourism College (TTC), a program of the Texas Travel Industry Association (TTIA).

"I am amazed by the amount of innovative solutions and ideas that I was able to bring back to the Beaumont CVB over these past three years, many of which we have implemented," said Eddins. "I highly recommend this program to anyone wishing to move their career forward in the travel & tourism industry," Eddins added.

The three year program consists of a week of intensive tourism marketing and management courses offered each year. Courses include such topics as the emotional IQ of today's marketing campaigns, hands-on strategies for handling any crisis situation, how to create eco-friendly, sustainable tourism products, management excellence, positively outrageous customer service, essential strategies for tourism marketing success, and how relationships affect advocacy and engagement. 

In addition to completing the coursework, candidates are also required to complete a capstone project to demonstrate how the program has had a direct impact in their organization. Travel and tourism professionals who complete this program receive Certified Tourism Executive (CTE) designation. 

"With this CTE designation, Elizabeth Eddins has taken her career a step further, increasing her knowledge and expertise in all aspects of travel & tourism marketing and management," said Paul Serff, President Emeritus, Texas Travel Industry Association and driving force behind Travel & Tourism College. "She has increased her knowledge on current trends in the travel industry, social media and research, and is prepared to take on new and larger responsibilities within her organization and the industry."

2013 Travel & Tourism College will take place in June 2013. For more information on Travel & Tourism College visit www.travelandtourismcollege.com