This annual scholarship, was established in 2008 to thank LRA past president, the late Ron Meade, for his dedication and commitment to the tourism industry in the State of New Hampshire. Ron spent many hours volunteering on various Boards and Committees in addition to the Lakes Region Association.

To be awarded in May at the NH Governor's Conference on Tourism, the "On the Track to Tourism" Annual Scholarship will reward an individual who has or will be graduating high school and has been accepted at an institution of higher learning in a hospitality/tourism program. To be eligible the person must be a resident of the State of New Hampshire and submit the application to the Lakes Region Association by the March deadline.

For a scholarship application, contact the Lakes Region Association at 603-286-8008. Gifts and donations can be forwarded to The Lakes Region Hospitality Scholarship Fund, PO Box 430, New Hampton, NH 03256. Download 2009 Application Here.

About Ron Meade
Ron Meade, an original staff member of New Hampshire Motor Speedway and a long-time motorsports publicist, passed away in September 2008 in Concord, N.H. after a brief illness. Ron most recently served as the Director of Special Projects at the speedway. He was also very actively involved in the promotion of travel and tourism throughout New Hampshire.

Ron Meade has been an active in motorsports for more than 30 years in numerous Management, marketing and public relations areas. After beginning his career in New York communications and advertising, he wrote on motorsport and OpEd for the Boston Globe. He was Public Relations Director for Daytona International Speedway, assisted Bill France, Sr. in Organization of American States Sports Committee and World Challenge for Endurance Drivers and other related activities. He was International Speedway Corporations’ racing liaison with Corning Glass Works for the reopening of the Watkins Glen International Grand Prix circuit. He worked with Skip Barber Racing to create the Barber Saab Pro Series and the Skip Barber BMW Advanced Driving School. He played a major role in the modernization of the Lime Rock Park road racing circuit. Meade joined New Hampshire International Speedway in October 1989 during construction of the first super speedway to be built in the United States in more than 25 years. He served Marketing and Public Relations Director when the speedway opening in 1990.

Meade was also active in many civic affairs. He served on the Governor’s Summit Task Force for Travel and Tourism; is a three-term member and Chairman of the New Hampshire Joint Promotional Program Screening Committee; Board of Directors member New Hampshire Travel Council; President, Executive Board Lakes Region Association; Vice President Laconia Race Week Association; on the Franklin Pierce College Sports Advisory Committee and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation Advisory Committee. He is past president of the Southern New Hampshire Convention & Visitors Bureau and also served six years on the Board of the Concord American Red Cross.

Meade’s wife Gail resides in Loudon and they have two adult daughters.