Julie Pingston honored with 2023 ATHENA Leadership Award
LANSING, MICH. – Dec. 7, 2023– Julie Pingston, President & CEO of Choose LansingTM has been named the recipient of the 2023 ATHENA Leadership Award by the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC). Pingston formally received her award at the annual ATHENA Lansing Celebration on Wednesday, December 6th.
“Julie Pingston has been a relentless advocate for the Greater Lansing region for more than 31 years and is a most deserving recipient of the ATHENA Leadership Award,” said Tim Daman, President & CEO, LRCC. “Julie’s work as the region’s number one ambassador for tourism has not only been felt throughout our community but has also been recognized on state and national levels. She has served in leadership positions on the boards of numerous non-profit organizations and is most generous in her support and mentoring of other women leaders in the community.”
“I am honored and humbled to be named this year’s Lansing ATHENA Leadership Award recipient,” said Pingston. “I have always been awed and inspired by the trailblazing women and men who have been bestowed this recognition in the past. To be included in their company is beyond anything I could have expected. I am truly blessed to get to do what I love every day for this community.”
Julie Pingston has served Choose LansingTM for 31 years and was named CEO in March 2020. The region welcomes over 5.3 million visitors annually generating over $682 million to the local economy. Choose Lansing promotes the destination to meeting and sports event planners as well as to all types of travelers seeking to experience the diverse opportunities the community offers.
Julie serves as president of the Potter Park Zoological Society, Board Member of the Arts Council of Greater Lansing, Member of Potter Park Zoo Board, treasurer of the Michigan Association of CVBs, Board Member of the Holt Education Foundation, past president of the Arts Council of Greater Lansing, past president of the Event Service Professionals Association, past president of the Tourism Industry Coalition of Michigan, and past president of the Rotary Club of Lansing as well as the Rotary Club of Lansing Foundation.
Julie was Michigan Meetings and Events Magazine’s Hall of Fame Inductee/Supplier of the Year (2008), MSAE’s Diamond Award Winner (2009), MMPI’s Mentor of the Year (2011), ESPA’s Member of the Year (2004), ESPA’s President’s Award Recipient (2009), ESPA’s Executive Excellence Award Recipient (2013), the Arts Council of Greater Lansing’s Ted Sondag Individual Leadership Award Recipient (2016), South Lansing Business Alliance Alfreda Schmidt Lifetime Achievement Award (2018), and Governor’s Award for Innovative Tourism Collaboration for Sensory Friendly Lansing (2019).
Julie is a graduate of Alma College in Alma, Michigan. Julie worked for the U.S. Travel & Tourism Administration within the U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C. prior to joining Choose LansingTM.
Learn more at: https://www.lansing.org/articles/post/athena-lansing-celebration-honors-choose-lansings-president-ceo-julie-pingston/
About Choose LansingTM
Formerly known as the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau, the vision of Choose LansingTM is to inspire everyone to celebrate and love Greater Lansing as much as we do! Which goes hand in hand with our mission, to positively impact our community’s quality of life by developing the region as a visitor destination. Learn more at www.lansing.org.
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About the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce:
The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce works relentlessly to help businesses connect, grow, and thrive. No mid-Michigan business stands alone when they are a member of the Chamber. For 122 years, the Lansing Chamber has served as the voice of the Greater Lansing business community. More information about LRCC and its programs and services can be found online at lansingchamber.org, Facebook, Instagram (@lansingregionalchamber), Twitter (@lansingchamber) and LinkedIn.
