23 Aug PRESS RELEASE: FRIENDS OF SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA ANNOUNCE WINNERS OF THE SWVA TOURISM AWARDS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Kim Davis
Friends of Southwest Virginia
marketing@myswva.org
FRIENDS OF SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA ANNOUNCE
WINNERS OF THE SWVA TOURISM AWARDS
Awards Luncheon Held During Reignite Tourism Summit in Wytheville
WYTHEVILLE, Va. (Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022) – Nearly 200 tourism professionals gathered on Monday at the third annual Reignite Tourism Summit held at the Wytheville Meeting Center. During the event, Friends of Southwest Virginia held the inaugural Southwest Virginia Tourism Awards Ceremony to celebrate the outstanding work within the tourism industry in Southwest Virginia.
In recognition of the incredible work and contributions in advancing the Southwest Virginia Tourism Industry, Friends of Southwest Virginia was honored to present awards in a number of categories that reflected tourism marketing, visitor services, events, and leadership. The Tourism Awards were open to tourism organizations, tourism and economic development individuals, and tourism-related businesses located within the 19 counties of the Southwest Virginia region.
“Taking time to celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of our tourism partners is important,” said Kim Davis, executive director of Friends of Southwest Virginia. “Tourism is one of the key economic drivers in Southwest Virginia, and we are pleased to recognize these incredible leaders who work hard every day to showcase and market our region to travelers.”
Southwest Virginia tourism professionals submitted nearly 60 nominations. Winners were chosen after a panel of tourism industry professionals from across the Southeastern United States, and one judge from England reviewed and judged each entry.
The 2022 Southwest Virginia Tourism Award winners were:
Excellence in Tourism Marketing Awards
Best Print Ad
Patrick County Tourism
Our State Magazine Ad
Best Visitor Guide
Grayson County Visitor Guide
Elevated by Nature
Best New Website
Marketing Budget $50,000 or Less
Smyth County Tourism Association
Best New Website
Marketing Budget $50,000 or More
Pulaski County Tourism
Best Rack Card or Brochure
Marketing Budget $50,000 or Less
Big Stone Gap
Best Rack Card or Brochure
Marketing Budget $50,000 or More
Discover Bristol
Gone Livin’ Brochure
Best Short Video – Less than 60 Seconds
Visit Wytheville
Find Your Adventure in Wytheville
Best Long Video – More than 60 seconds
Marketing Budget $50,000 or Less
Patrick County Chamber of Commerce
Our Trails lead to Adventure~ Patrick County VA
Best Long Video – More than 60 seconds
Marketing Budget $50,000 or More
Discover Bristol
Gone Livin’
Best Video Series for a Destination
Marketing Budget $50,000 or Less
City of Norton
Get Outside in Norton Video Series
Best Video Series for a Destination
Marketing Budget $50,000 or More
Visit Tazewell County
There’s No Better Place To Stay
Best Video Series for an Event
Birthplace of Country Music
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion – Celebrating 20 years in 2021
Best Overall Destination Marketing Campaign
2 Campaigns Honored
Visit Wytheville
Stop and Smell the Lavender
Discover Bristol
Gone Livin’
Best PR Campaign
Birthplace of Country Music
20th Anniversary of Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
Best Social Media Campaign
Pulaski County Tourism Social Media Rebranding
Best Recovery Campaign
Marketing Budget $50,000 or Less
Wise County Marketing & Community Development
Stay for a Weekend. Stay for a Lifetime
Best Recovery Campaign
Marketing Budget $50,000 or More
Discover Bristol
Gone Livin’ Campaign
Excellence in Tourism Partners Awards
Outstanding Visitor Center of the Year
The Big Stone Gap Visitor Center
Outstanding One Day Event of the Year
Pulaski County Winterfest
Outstanding Festival of the Year with 2 or More Days and with Less than 10,000 Attendees each year.
Front Porch Fest
Outstanding Festival of the Year with 2 or More Days and with More than 10,000 Attendees each year.
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
Outstanding New Tourism Business of the Year
2 Businesses Honored
Pickle & Ash
Nominated by Patrick County Tourism
Cameo Theatre
Nominated by Discover Bristol
Outstanding Attraction of the Year
Bristol Motor Speedway
Nominated by Discover Bristol
Excellence in Tourism Leadership
Outstanding Tourism Partner of the Year
2 Partners Honored
Patrick County Chamber of Commerce
The Draper Village
Outstanding Volunteer of the Year
Sally Bolling
Birthplace of Country Music / Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
Outstanding Visitor Center Employee of the Year
Joey O’Quinn
Town of Big Stone Gap
The Crooked Road Award
Outstanding Tourism Partner
David Rotenizer
Shining Star – Outstanding Tourism Leader of the Year
Jonathan Sweet
Pulaski County
Outstanding Leader of Year
Rita Surratt
Dickenson County