The Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association (ACVA) has selected Judith A. McVay as the first recipient of the David G. Speck Tourism Partner of the Year Award.
Councilman Speck, who serves as ACVA governor emeritus, presented the award to McVay at the ACVA annual membership meeting last week. As co-chair of the Alexandria Festival of the Arts, McVay organized and led a force of more than 100 volunteers who were instrumental in the operational success of the festival held Sept. 13-14. She also worked throughout the festival weekend to direct the volunteers in their various assignments.
“Judy McVay gave countless hours over many months in support of the Alexandria Festival of the Arts,” Speck said. “She publicly endorsed the festival and worked in close partnership with the ACVA to rally the support of our residential community to make the festival truly a communitywide event. In fact, she did such a marvelous job that volunteers have already signed up for next year’s festival.”
A homemaker and 28-year resident of Alexandria, McVay has been an activist for residents and neighborhoods in city affairs for more than 20 years. She is founder and chair of the Coalition for a Sensible Bridge Inc.; a member of the Alexandria Federation of Civic Associations, having served as co-president of the Federation; and a member of the City of Alexandria’s Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee. She has also served as two-term president of the Old Town Civic Association, state legislative chair of the League of Women Voters of Alexandria, and in other numerous civic capacities.
The David G. Speck Tourism Partner of the Year award recognizes an individual for his outstanding contribution to Alexandria’s tourism industry during the year and to the mission of the ACVA as the city’s tourism marketing organization. The award was created in honor of Councilman Speck in June 2002 on his retirement from the ACVA Board of Governors.