LKM CEO Receives Award for Outstanding Contribution to the North Carolina Travel Industry
John Ketchum, chief executive officer of LKM, has been awarded the Charles Parker Award by the North Carolina Travel Industry Association. The award recognizes outstanding contributions made by individuals to the state’s travel industry. Former recipients have included North Carolina luminaries such as Hugh M. Morton, who built the Mile High Swinging Bridge and opened Grandfather Mountain after inheriting the Mountain from his grandfather. Other recipients include William A.V. Cecil of the Biltmore Estate and H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler of Lowe’s Motor Speedway.
Kim Hufham, President and CEO of the Wilmington/Cape Fear Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau presented the award to Ketchum, citing his 26 years of service to the tourism industry in account service to the North Carolina Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development’s communications and branding agencies. (Ketchum worked first for the division with McKinney and then started with LKM as a partner in 1987; he later won the business to that agency.)
Upon accepting the award, Ketchum said, “We at LKM are extremely proud to be able to represent North Carolina and the energy and beauty of this state… it’s been the highest honor of my career. I love the state of North Carolina. It’s been so good to me.”
In closing, he said, “I will continue to be involved in this industry as long as I can bring value to it.” He then nodded to the needs of the Blue Ridge Parkway, pledging his support to Parkway Superintendent Phil Francis to keep the Parkway vibrant and beautiful. Ketchum’s career arc has illuminated many of the most respected advertising and communications agencies in the Southeastern renaissance, including Cargill Wilson & Acree, Lawler Ballard, McKinney & Silver and LKM for the last 21 years. He has been a proponent of North Carolina’s well-known brand identity as a state of natural scenic beauty and relaxation. Through his agency roles, Ketchum has collaborated with North Carolina’s Division of Tourism and numerous tourism directors to win more than 20 Mercury Awards, the national hallmarks of industry excellence given by the National Council of State Tourism Directors in the Travel Industry Association. Work for the state has also been published in advertising and communication textbooks and recognized by the One Show and the Kelly Awards.
Outside of the office, Ketchum has served on the Executive Committee of the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, served as vice president of the Chamber’s Convention and Visitors Bureau and served on the board of directors of the Travel and Tourism Research Association, the North Carolina Humanities Foundation and the North Carolina Zoological Park.
Other award recipients at the luncheon included:
Mike Redding, writer and host of “Carolina Traveler” on WCNC won the Charles Kuralt Award. The Blue Ridge Parkway won Visitor Attraction of the Year. The award was accepted by Blue Ridge Parkway Superintendent Phil Francis.
