Durham's Annual Tribute Luncheon to Honor Historic Sites

Every year in April, Durham's Annual Tribute Luncheon is an opportunity to publicly recognize people, places, and events for the role they play in preserving Durham's unique sense of place. This year, given the important anniversary upon Durham, the event is going to be especially exciting.

This year the event commemorates Durham's role in the Civil War, the sesquicentennial (150th anniversary) of the end of which is in April. "Probably the most notable thing for people will be Durham's role in the end of the war," said Sam Poley, the Director of Public Relations for the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau (DCVB), the organization that produces the event. "Because the history books essentially stop telling the story of the war with the treaty at Appomattox, most people don't realize that the war didn't really end until Sherman and Johnston agreed to the largest troop surrender, that of five Confederate state armies totaling more than 89,000 soldiers, when they met in Durham. Durham is where the war effectively ended," added Poley.

Durham's role in this nation-shaping event is really best illustrated by looking at all three of Durham's state historic sites, Bennett Place, Duke Homestead, and Historic Stagville. All of them will be honored for their inextricable link to what makes Durham the place it is today. The program for the luncheon will be unlike any other in the event's history.

The luncheon will take place Wednesday, April 29, 2015 beginning promptly at 11:30 a.m. at The Durham Convention Center. Registration for the event is available online where individual tickets are $55 each and an 8-person table is $500.

"The Annual Tribute Luncheon is a celebration of Durham, and we're excited to shine a light on this aspect of Durham's history," Poley said. Those interested can learn more about Durham's Civil War history online.

Durham Celebrates 25 Years of Success as a Visitor Destination

“That’s billions – with a B,” said Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau (DCVB) President and CEO, Shelly Green referring to visitor dollars spent in Durham over that last 25 years. Since 1990, when the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau (DCVB) started tracking metrics, 124 million visitors have experienced Durham and they spent $12.9 billion in Durham’s economy. The growth over that period, according to Green, is “pretty remarkable.”

The last four years coming out of the recession have seen steady growth. “Given the resources available, I am extremely proud of all that Durham has accomplished. The DCVB team is really skilled at spinning gold from hay,” Green said referring to Durham’s visitor growth measured against its investment promoting the destination.

DCVB benchmarks metrics annually that paint a picture of Durham’s performance as a visitor destination. The numbers are estimates for the past 25 years in total.

• $24 Million Visitors to Durham
• $12.9 Billion Spending by Durham Visitors
• $139 Million Occupancy Taxes Collected 
• $578 Million Local Tax Revenue Generated by Visitors
• 14.7 Million Visitor Inquiries Generated
• 15,764 Conventions and Groups Serviced
• 102,905 Conventions and Meetings Held in Durham
• 3.5 Million Convention and Meeting Attendees
• 5,149,485 Hotel Room Nights Used by Conventions and Meetings
• 1,172,662 Hotel Room Nights Booked by DCVB 
• 21,833 DCVB-Assisted Stories in the Media 

These statistics become more meaningful when considered in the context of real examples of praise and accomplishments earned by the community. Durham consistently ranks highly on measurements of quality of life, business climate, education, healthcare, and more. Fueled by its ranking as the number one retirement destination in the US and its title as Tastiest Town in the South, as well as the combination of diverse population and an engaged and welcoming community, Durham’s pattern of growth looks assured. A searchable database of Durham’s accolades is online here.

“Durham is successful because it is a great community that prides itself on things like authenticity and being genuine. These things matter more and more to visitors and residents alike, and we are now benefitting from that trend,” Green said. “To look back on the last 25 years at today’s Annual Tribute Luncheon has been a tangible validation of our work at DCVB, and of the community we represent. I couldn’t be more proud.”

A video shown at the luncheon traced DCVB’s inception back to 1982 when discussions of the need for a destination marketing organization dedicated to Durham were first chronicled in municipal and economic development circles. Legislation in 1986 permitted the collection of an occupancy tax on hotel room sales beginning in 1989 when DCVB started out with a modest office in Brightleaf Square.  Included in the video were former board and staff members as well as President Emeritus Reyn Bowman who ran DCVB from its inception in 1989 through 2009 when Green took the helm.   Watch the 25 year retrospective video online here.

The Annual Tribute Luncheon is produced by DCVB to celebrate Durham’s unique sense of place. Former honorees include Pastor Shirley Caesar, Dr. John Hope Franklin, Coach Mike Krzyzewski, Durham festivals, and acclaimed Durham chefs, among others.

Reclaiming Durham’s Sense of Place

In just about a month, on April 23, the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau (DCVB) will host Durham’s Annual Tribute Luncheon. This year’s celebration is a special one because it marks DCVB’s 25^th anniversary.

DCVB, staffed by 21 dedicated and passionate professionals, is an internationally accredited destination marketing organization that was chartered by state and local governments to increase visitation to Durham, broaden the tax base, fuel local businesses and provide jobs. It is known as the heart, soul, and energy of Durham as a destination and the defender of Durham’s image.

Over the course of the past 25 years, DCVB has worked to articulate Durham’s story, capturing its uniqueness and sense of place in a way that helped attract visitors.  

The path to success was sometimes rocky.

Community marketing was new to people living and working in Durham. They weren’t used to having an organization sticking up for Durham, providing comprehensive data and clarifying misinformation. Back then, some said Durham had all but surrendered its identity and allowed its stories to be erased or distorted.

But at its core, the people of Durham loved Durham and wanted DCVB to uncover and document these stories. This included asserting Durham’s role in the Civil Rights movement, correctly identifying the location of Research Triangle Park, reshaping the conversation about Durham’s role in the Civil War, and turning around Durham’s image in surrounding communities, to name a few.   

Storytelling is at the heart of DCVB’s mission. On April 23, join 400 civic, business and education leaders from Durham in a revealing—yet humorous—look back at the pioneers who made this possible. To register or find out more, visit www.tributeluncheon.com.  

2013 Annual Tribute Luncheon "The Gospel of Durham"

The 2013 Annual Tribute Luncheon, held today at the Durham Convention Center, welcomed more than 300 attendees according to Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau President and CEO Shelly Green. DCVB produces the event each year to celebrate an aspect of Durham's unique sense of place, and the people, places, events, and things that make Durham distinct.

From left to right, DCVB President & CEO Shelly Green,
Annual Tribute Luncheon Honoree Shirley Caesar and
Co-host, Minnie Forte-Brown, Vice Chair,
Durham Public Schools Board of Education

Durham native and eleven-time Grammy winner Pastor Shirley Caesar was this year's honoree, with the theme, "The Gospel of Durham."  According to Green, "We are extremely excited to share the good news about Pastor Caesar, and Durham, today. We don't hold a traditional annual meeting. Rather, we use this event as a showcase to help people understand Durham, and all its facets," she added.

A short documentary video about Pastor Caesar debuted at the event. Local weekly newspaper, The Indy Week, featured Caesar as their cover story this week, and a very special greeting was read to Pastor Caesar, from former president, Bill Clinton. President and Secretary Clinton are close personal friends of Pastor Caesar, and they sent their congratulations in a personal note read aloud as a special surprise during the event. Pastor Caesar was excited to hear their kind words. "I am so glad I had the privilege to be a part of the Durham City Council. I always come back home. I love Durham."

Caesar's contributions to Durham are numerous and far-reaching. Pastor Caesar was elected to the Durham City Council and served from 1987 to 1991. She is also a cheerleader for Durham wherever she goes, and as an international Gospel star, that's a lot of places. Pastor Caesar also personally funds the Shirley Caesar Outreach Ministries in Durham to help the less fortunate. The Pastor has also acted in Hollywood films, and performed on Broadway. While Pastor Caesar has won Grammy Awards and dozens of other music awards, this award from her local Durham community holds special meaning.

Upon accepting the award, Caesar expressed appreciation for the recognition from the community, “This is a privilege. It's an honor. Even when I left the clay hills of North Carolina, I always came home. You can always come home when you can't go anyplace else. Thank God for home."

This event is produced annually and in the past has recognized the culinary arts, architecture, authors, events, and civic organizations. To see an image of the 2013 Annual Tribute Luncheon honorees click here.

The event is always a "who's who" of Durham and of the respective community being celebrated with today's event being no exception. "Events like this help to remind us all how special Durham is, and why we are all so proud to be here," Green said.

DCVB to Honor Shirley Caesar

Many say that the gospel is the good news, and good news is exactly what Durham's Annual Tribute Luncheon is all about. This year’s honoree has also spent her life sharing good news.

Pastor Shirley Caesar, known worldwide as the Queen of Gospel Music, is certainly one of Durham’s most notable religious figures. Born and raised in Durham, Pastor Caesar started her singing career at age 11. Over the course of her career she has earned 11 Grammy Awards, a RIAA certified gold record & video, 13 Stellar Awards, 18 Dove Awards, and numerous other accolades.  She has transcended the Gospel music arena starring in feature films, authoring books, and recording with everyone from Bob Dylan to Patti Labelle, making her one of music’s most celebrated and in demand personas.

Actively ministering throughout the world, she references Durham regularly, bringing praise to the community at every opportunity. After returning to Durham from Chicago following a successful eight-year run with the famed Caravans, Pastor Caesar founded the Shirley Caesar Outreach Ministries, Inc. in Durham to aid families in need with emergency funding, food, and shelter funded by 50% of her concert revenue.

In 1987 Pastor Caesar ran a successful campaign for Durham City Council and served from 1987 – 1991.  Her fame gives her an outstanding platform from which she shares her love of this place, and DCVB is excited to be honoring her this year. Pastor Caesar is equally as excited. When asked how it felt to be honored in this way she said, “It's nice to be appreciated. I’m grateful Durham is thankful to have me because I am still a part of Durham.”

Scheduled for April 24th, 2013 at 11:30 AM in the Durham Convention Center, the luncheon is always an event to remember. Tickets are on sale now at tributeluncheon.com. The event is expected to be a sell-out.

“This event is a way for a special aspect of Durham to be celebrated every year,” said Shelly Green, President and CEO of the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau, which organizes this annual event. “Her roots and her heart are still in Durham. We’re happy to recognize her contributions this way.”

2012 Annual Tribute Luncheon Theme Announced

Durham's Annual Tribute Luncheon is a celebration of an aspect of Durham's unique sense of place...and Durham has a lot to celebrate.

Durham's attributes are well covered by media, but this annual event is about digging deeper into understanding and appreciating how the place became that which it is...and this year's theme, Great Families Make Great Things Happen, will explore exactly that in a very complete way.

Years past have seen chefs, architects and civic leaders honored. This year the McKissick, Rand and Teer families will be honored for the contributions that generations of their families have made to Durham. Their roles in developing Durham—particularly as a visitor destination—have been long-lasting and significant.

Being held at Bay 7 on April 25th, 2012 at 11:30 AM, the luncheon is always an event to remember.  Tickets are on sale here and those with them will get to enjoy the event first hand and be part of one of Durham's great events at which to be seen every year.  Those interested in sponsoring the event can email for more information.

2011 Annual Tribute Lucheon "A Huge Success"

The 2011 Annual Tribute Luncheon, held today at Bay 7 in American Tobacco for a sell-out crowd, was, according to Shelly Green, "A huge success."  Green is the President and CEO of the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau, the organization that produces the event each year.

Annually, the Tribute Luncheon honors individuals and groups who have helped shape and preserve Durham’s unique sense of place. This year it celebrates three Durham institutions and some of the individuals associated with them who have worked tirelessly and artfully to achieve greatness. Their organizations have become synonymous with Durham and they have made even richer the tapestry that comprises the fabric of Durham.

For 2011, the theme was "Great Rhythm. Great Blues." and showcased three of Durham's most enduring organizations: the African American Dance Ensemble, the American Dance Festival and the Bull Durham Blues Festival.

The African American Dance Ensemble expresses the rhythm of life and is more than a dance troupe. The ensemble is an agency of positive social change and reinforcement of the human values of peace, love and respect, as well as a world-renowned arts education organization.

The American Dance Festival has its hands on the pulse of modern American Dance. Relocating to Durham in 1978 from Connecticut, the festival floods Duke's campus each summer with about 500 dancers, choreographers, musicians, critics and scholars from around the globe.

Durham loves to sing the blues, but not the kind that speaks of bad luck, hard times and lost love. Showcasing an art form that is reflective of Durham’s rich musical heritage, the Piedmont or Carolina Blues style is upbeat, and just as likely to make listeners jump up and dance as shake their heads in reflection. For more than two decades, the Bull Durham Blues Festival has been held in Durham as a showcase of some of the finest contemporary blues artists today.

This event is produced annually and in the past has recognized the culinary arts, architecture, authors and civic organizations.  To see some images from today's event, click here, here and here.

The event is always a "who's who" of Durham and of the respective community being celebrated with today's event being no exception.  "Events like this help to remind us all how special Durham is, and why we are all so proud to be here," Green added.

Annual Tribute Lunch on Wednesday

This Wednesday, Bay 7 is going to come alive with music and dance as Durham celebrates its unique sense of place at The Annual Tribute Luncheon.  This year The African American Dance Ensemble, The American Dance Festival and The Bull Durham Blues Festival are taking the stage. The theme is Great Rhythm and Great Blues which ties directly into the dance and blues that make such an impact on Durham each year.

A few tickets were available at the time of writing, but like in years past, the event's host, the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau, expects all tickets to sell.  The event is held annually and is invariably a great show of community support.

The Time is Now - Annual Tribute Luncheon Almost Sold Out

Good things come to those who…act now! The African American Dance Ensemble, the American Dance Festival and the Bull Durham Blues Festival have all enhanced Durham’s reputation as a center for the arts; now it’s your chance to celebrate them for all they’ve done.

Tickets for this year’s Annual Tribute Luncheon, Great Rhythm Great Blues, to be held on April 27th at American Tobacco’s Bay 7, are going fast! Order now, before they are sold out, and and join Durham in honoring these organizations that are an important piece of the tapestry that comprises Durham’s unique sense of place.

Ticket Sales Brisk, Annual Tribute Luncheon Coming April 27

The Annual Tribute Luncheon is coming up on April 27th at American Tobacco's Bay 7.  The event is a celebration of Durham's unique sense of place that is produced by the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau. 

This year's theme of Great Rhythm Great Blues is a canvass upon which a rather lively event will be painted.  The honorees are the African American Dance Ensemble, the American Dance Festival and the Bull Durham Blues Festival.  The public is welcomed to attend the event with tickets.

"These organizations are creative and and they work they produce is exciting and lively!" said E'Vonne Coleman-Cook, DCVB's Chief Operating Officer.  "I can't imagine that the event will be anything less than uplifting and invigorating."
The event receives significant local support from sponsors.  ABC-11, American Airlines, BCBS, Greenfire Development, Hilton Garden Inn Durham/Southpoint, Merck, The Freelon Group, The Sarah P. Duke Gardens, and U.S. Foodservice.

Coleman-Cook went on to say, "This event is about Durham as a community, and to see we have so many partners in doing that is really heartening.  Times are tough and still we have the support of our fellow stakeholders in the place where great things happen."

The event has been produced for nearly 20 years by DCVB and has celebrated chefs, authors, musicians and architects, among other things.  It is widely considered to be one of Durham's signature "see and be seen" events and sells out every year. 

"At Bay 7, we have a capacity of about 375," Coleman-Cook said.  "Attendance of the event is always strong, and this year we have only about 80 seats left to sell," she said. "That's pretty awesome given the event is still about two months away."

Support of the Arts Only for Deep Pockets?

As many should know and even more need to be told, support of the arts slid dramatically with the economy. Families are working harder than ever to put food on the table and keep roofs over their heads, and philanthropy has become something of a theoretical budget line relegated to the "future" or when "things are better." It's a practical position and few are immune from being forced to think that way, corporations and families alike.

So then, it is remarkable when some, like Duke Medicine and American Tobacco continue to prioritize such expenditures. To them, support of the arts is akin to basic functions like marketing, payroll and taxes - community support is simply not an optional expense.

"The art and culture community are of paramount importance to us and central to visitors at Duke Medicine," said MaryAnn Black, Associate Vice President of Community Relations at Duke Medicine.  "That is why we display artwork from local artist throughout our facilities.  We consider our contribution to the arts community to be a great investment in the quality of life," Black  added.

Durham's upcoming Annual Tribute Luncheon is a celebration of an aspect of Durham's unique sense of place.  This year's theme, "Great Rythm, Great Blues" is an opportunity to shine a light on three Durham organizations that have brought music and dance to the place where great things happen, and given them a base from which to bring those things to the world.  The African American Dance Ensemble, the American Dance Festival, and the Bull Durham Blues Festival will be honored at the April 27th event at Bay 7.

"Durham thrives on the arts, and American Tobacco has always been a hub for homegrown music, painting, photography and films.  In boom times and tough times, the arts capture who we are and inspire us to be more," said Michael Goodmon, vice president of real estate for Capitol Broadcasting Company, which owns American Tobacco where Bay 7 is located.

Sustaining those things that speak to a community's identity is a valuable position, and Durham is lucky to have heavy hitting players in the business community standing guard at the gates.  That said, levels of giving for individuals are still low.  A great thing for Durham is that residents hold these forms of expression in high regard, and as the economy improves, so will support for the arts.

2011 Annual Tribute Luncheon Tickets Now On Sale

Durham's Annual Tribute Luncheon is an annual celebration of an aspect of Durham's unique sense of place...and Durham has a lot to celebrate.  Beyond all the accolades Durham has collected in recent months, Durham is home to amazing dance and the birth place of great music.

Years past have seen chefs, architects and civic leaders honored.  This year The African American Dance Ensemble, The American Dance Festival and The Bull Durham Blues Festival are taking the stage.  The theme is Great Rhythm and Great Blues which ties directly into the dance and blues that make such an impact on Durham each year.

Being held at Bay 7 on April 27th, 2011 at 11:30 AM, the luncheon is a going to hold a few surprises when compared to years past.  Like any good marketer would, Durham's official marketing agency, the Durham Convention and Visitors Bureau, is building a little suspense and anticipation.  Those with tickets will get to enjoy the event first hand and be part of one of Durham's great events at which to be seen every year.  They are on sale here. Those interested in sponsoring the event can email for more information.

2011 Annual Tribute Luncheon Theme Set

Each year DCVB produces Durham’s Annual Tribute Luncheon, honoring individuals and groups who have helped shape and preserve Durham’s unique sense of place.  This year it celebrates three Durham institutions and some of the individuals associated with them who have worked tirelessly and artfully to achieve greatness.  Their organizations have become synonymous with Durham and they have made even richer the tapestry that comprises the fabric of Durham.

For 2011, the theme is "Great Rhythm.  Great Blues." and will showcase three of Durham's most enduring organizations: the African American Dance Ensemble, the American Dance Festival and the Bull Durham Blues Festival.

The African American Dance Ensemble expresses the rhythm of life and is more than a dance troupe.  The ensemble is an agency of positive social change and reinforcement of the human values of peace, love and respect, as well as a world-renowned arts education organization.

The American Dance Festival has its hands on the pulse of modern American Dance.  Relocating to Durham in 1978 from Connecticutt, the festival floods Duke's campus each summer with about 500 dancers, choreographers, musicians, critics and scholars from around the globe.

Durham loves to sing the blues, but not the kind that speaks of bad luck, hard times and lost love.  Showcasing an art form that is reflective of Durham’s rich musical heritage, the Piedmont or Carolina Blues style is upbeat, and just as likely to make listeners jump up and dance as shake their heads in reflection.  For more than two decades, the Bull Durham Blues Festival has been held in Durham as a showcase of some of the finest contemporary blues artists today. 

This event is produced annually and in the past has recognized the culinary arts, architecture, authors and civic organizations.

Held at Bay 7 at American Tobacco on April 27, 2011, the event is always a "who's who" of Durham and of the respective community being celebrated.  Sponsorship opportunities are available and more information is available by email.