Tourism director to speak at Northeast Nebraska Tourism Banquet

NORFOLK, NEB. (May 16, 2006) – Christian Hornbaker, director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development's Travel and Tourism Division, will be keynote speaker at the 2006 Northeast Nebraska Tourism Banquet, on Thursday, May 25, in Norfolk, sponsored by the Northeast Nebraska Travel Council. The public is invited to the 7 p.m. event at Divot's Conference Center, 4200 W. Norfolk Ave. Call 1-800-777-6159 for ticket information and reservations.

Hornbaker, who was hired in February, will talk about the importance of regional cooperation and promotion. He also will talk on the Tourism Division's new campaign urging Nebraskans to vacation in Nebraska. Recently, he spoke at a tourism meeting in Yankton, S.D., organized to create a tourism partnership between northeast Nebraska and southeast South Dakota.

Hornbaker earned a history degree from Northwest Missouri State University and has worked the past 10 years in the fields of marketing, communications and technology.

“Tourism is a vital and dynamic industry in northeast Nebraska and the state. Regional groups like the Northeast Nebraska Travel Council are integral to the success of tourism businesses and attractions. Strong partnerships within regions and with the Tourism Division generate dollars for local economies. And they generate a quality travel experience for vacationers,” Hornbaker said.

Tourism is Nebraska’s third-largest industry. In 2005, tourists, for the first time ever, spent over $3 billion in Nebraska. Tourism employs 44,000 people statewide. The Nebraska Travel and Tourism Division oversees statewide marketing programs and tourism business development initiatives.

The Northeast Nebraska Travel Council is a non-profit, membership-based organization dedicated to promoting and developing the tourism industry in northeast Nebraska. It represents businesses, tourist attractions and communities in Antelope, Boone, Burt, Cedar, Colfax, Cuming, Dakota, Dixon, Dodge, Madison, Nance, Pierce, Platte, Stanton, Thurston, Washington and Wayne counties. Membership dues are $35 per year and available to any individual, business, or organization that wishes to grow the tourism industry in northeast Nebraska.

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lora Young, President, Northeast Nebraska Travel Council at

402-371-2932, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it