Funeral Services Announced For Corey D. Bizzell

DCVB made the sad announcement earlier this week that Corey D. Bizzell, DCVB’s Vice President of Sales and Business Development passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, February 22, 2015. Funeral services have been announced for Monday, March 2, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. at Bethel Family Center located at 515 Dowd St, Durham, NC.

Credit: MPI and The Meeting Professional

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A 13-year veteran of the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau, Corey was 38 years old. In his role, Corey had risen to be one of the most recognized people in his field, even gracing the cover of The Meeting Professional, a leading publication in the meeting and convention arena.

During his tenure at DCVB, Bizzell, a Durham native, saw great success in inviting groups to bring their meetings and conventions to Durham. Those who knew Corey were well aware that he was, without question, always on the ball, always in touch, always thinking, and always planning the next move.

“A loss like this is just devastating,” said Shelly Green, President & CEO of DCVB.  “Corey had many friends here and throughout the country. We are all taking this hard,” Green added.

To honor him, DCVB is establishing a scholarship in his name for students pursuing careers in hospitality. Details on that will be forthcoming, but for those interested in making an immediate donation, in lieu of flowers, as Corey’s family prefers, please donate to the Hopes for Haircuts Foundation, where Corey was serving as the CFO.

DCVB will also post here a list of nearby hotels with special rates later this afternoon for those traveling from out of town to attend the services.

“We miss him terribly, and we thank you for your good thoughts as we process this loss,” said Green.

Hotels with special rates for those attending Corey Bizzell's funeral on March 2

If you are in need of lodging when you attend the funeral for Corey Bizzell on March 2, below are special rates and contact information for hotels offering them. This list will be updated as soon as information is available, so please check back often.

Property	Rate	Code	Notes
Courtyard by Marriott 1815 Front Street, Durham, North Carolina, 27705 919-309-1500	$79.00		Available Monday night.
Courtyard by Marriott 301 Residence Inn Blvd., Durham, North Carolina, 27713 919-484-2900	$79.00	Bizzell Service Rate	Available Monday night.
Durham Marriott City Center 201 Foster Street, Durham, North Carolina, 27701 919-768-6025	$99.00		Available Monday night.
Fairfield Inn and Suites Durham Southpoint 7807 Leonardo Drive, Durham, NC 27713 919-806-8200	$104.00	Corey Bizzell Family and Friends	Available Monday night.
Hilton Durham near Duke University 3800 Hillsborough Rd., Durham, NC 27705 919-564-2911	$89.00	CBS	Available Monday night.
Hyatt Place Durham Southpoint 7840 NC 751 Highway Durham, NC 27713 919-688-7800, option 0 for the Operator	$104.00	Corey Bizzell Family and Friends	Available Monday night.
The King's Daughters Inn 204 N Buchanan Blvd., Durham, NC 27701 919-354-7000	$50.00		Available Monday night.
Sheraton Imperial Hotel 4700 Emperor Blvd., Durham, NC 27703 919.941.5050	$99.00	Corey Bizzell Family and Friends	Available Monday night.
Sleep Inn RTP 5208 Page Road, Durham, NC 27703 919-993-3393	$69.00	Corey Bizzell Family and Friends	Available Monday night.
SpringHill Suites Marriott 5310 McFarland Drive, Durham, NC 27707 919-403-1111	$99.00		Available Monday night.
Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club  3001 Cameron Blvd., Durham, NC  27705 919-490-0999	$129.00		Available Sunday and Monday night.

Durham Hotel Lodging Availability

While charged with marketing Durham as a place to visit, live, and work, the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau also operates the Durham Lodging Hotline during inclement weather. With many people out of power, or possibly stranded due to impassable roads or cancelled travel, DCVB ascertains hotel room availability and shares that information with the public on their website, www.Durham-NC.com.

“The Lodging Hotline was updated this morning and is currently as accurate as we can make it,” said Shelly Green, President and CEO of DCVB. “Available rooms get booked, and we will try and keep the information updated as the day progresses, but please know that these rooms are all first come, first served,” Green added indicating that those in need of accommodations should secure them as soon as possible.

As of noon today, fewer than 400 of Durham’s more than 7,500 hotel rooms were available. The link to this hotline is in the upper left hand corner of the Durham-NC.com homepage.

The Best Seat Not In The House For The Duke/Carolina Game

Updated 3/3/15

Called the greatest rivalry in sports, there is no love lost between the Duke University Blue Devil and UNC Tar Heel  men's basketball squads. The rivalry between the two is as fierce as any along the 8 mile stretch of Tobacco Road, or anywhere on earth, for that matter, and possession of tickets to see that game is, to some, tantamount to possession of the Holy Grail...especially when that ticket is for Cameron Indoor Stadium at Duke University in Durham.

So then, where does one go to watch the game? Home is all well and good, sure, as are bars, but there the focus is only partially on the game. Plus, folks may want to get out of the house to truly show their spirit at full volume, and a bar isn't appropriate for fans younger than 21, the number of which is legion.

This year, a new option has emerged, and it's "beyond exciting as a visitor attraction, and as a development for fans already in Durham," said Sam Poley of the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau. On Saturday, March 7, 2015 from 3:00pm-11pm, Stadium10 Theater, Northgate Mall will show  Duke-Carolina: The Blue Blood Rivalry, an in-depth look at the Duke-North Carolina basketball rivalry. "We're excited that this game is now more accessible to all fans from individuals to families" Poley added referring to the $10 ticket price to attend a special documentary screening and then watch the game.

 "Sports are ultimately about fans," said Hassan Pinto who produced the documentary, as well as this event. "This event creates access to an elite sports match for thousands of fans because they can't see the game like this anywhere else," Pinto added referring to the fact that the game will be shown on the movie screens in the theater at true 4K resolution, or four times clearer than the typical HD TV that many people own, and on a massive scale. "I can go to the game at Cameron, but I'm excited to watch it at Northgate this year with my friends and family, and so many excited fans," Pinto said.

Basketball and football legends including Gene Banks, Dre Bly, Marty Hensley, Jeff Denny, Ross Cockrell, and Bryn Renner will walk the red carpet and attend a special ticketed VIP event before the screening. The VIP reception will feature food and an open bar with with a silent auction to include autographed basketballs, Duke and Carolina ticket giveaways and more to benefit The V Foundation in honor of ESPN's Stuart Scott. 

The documentary film will screen from 6:30:00-8:15 pm. Shuttles will leave promptly after the film to transport fans with game tickets directly to the Dean Dome for the 9:00 pm tip-off. VIP event attendees will have first rights to theater seats for the live game to be shown on all ten Stadium 10 screens. Tickets for the events can be purchased in advance online. The general public is invited to fill in remaining seats for free on a first come, first served basis after all ticketed guests have been seated.

Learn more about Durham's storied Duke basketball history or other sporting events in Durham, and share your experiences at this event on Facebook and Twitter.