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Roswell,
GA – October 2023 / NewsmakerAlert: Southeast
Tourism Society announced the recipients of the 2023 Shining Example
Awards during their annual Connections Conference held in Jackson,
MS (September 25-28). Each year leaders in tourism are chosen by a selection
committee to receive these prestigious awards for their accomplishments
in tourism marketing, revenue growth and individual contributions to the
industry.
Thirteen
awards were presented in 12 categories, including the Chairman’s Award
and the Dorothy Hardman “Spirit of STS” Award.
-
The Shining
Example Partnership Award for effective partnerships within the
tourism industry went to The Fredericksburg Civil Rights Trail.
-
The Shining
Example Rising Star Award went to Heather Kouns, Director of Destination
Projects for North Little Rock Tourism.
-
Holly
Jolly Jekyll received the STS Top 20 Event or Festival of the Year Award.
-
13th Gate
Haunted House won The Escape to the Southeast (ETTS) Travel Attraction
of the Year Award.
Two awards
for best marketing are judged on creativity, demographics, research, and
the overall success of the campaign. Best Marketing Awards:
-
Louisiana’s
Cajun Bayou won for its “You Gotta Try This” campaign (budget of $100,000
- $499,000).
-
Visit
Myrtle Beach, won for its “Beach with the Best” campaign (budget of more
than $500,000).
-
Visit
Lake Charles won the Best Niche Marketing Award for its “Austin
Integrated” campaign.
A new
award category was introduced this year. Martin County Office of Tourism
& Marketing received the Best Digital Marketing Award for exceptional
use of digital marketing to promote their “Summer of Fun” giveaway.
Overall
tourism success is the focus of some of the most coveted Shining Example
Awards. This year’s winner of Tourism Office of the Year (budget over
$1 million) is North Little Rock Tourism.
Four
Shining Example awards were given to in recognition of individual contributions
to the travel and tourism industry:
-
The
Beacon Award, which honors someone for outstanding tourism leadership
over their career, went to Stacy Simon of Visit Baton Rouge.
-
The Governmental
Tourism Leadership Award went to Louisiana Rep. Denise Marcelle.
-
Berkeley
Young was awarded the Chairman’s Award for his outstanding leadership
as the Provost for STS Marketing College®.
-
The Dorothy
Hardman “Spirit of STS Award” went to Chris Hardman for his dedication
and respect for the tourism industry and Southeast Tourism Society.
A special
first-time recognition was presented by Southeast Travel and Tourism Research
Association (SETTRA) to Tom Van Hyning, Economist (retired) of Visit Mississippi.
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About
Southeast Tourism Society
The
Southeast Tourism Society
(STS) is a not-for-profit membership association dedicated to the development
of travel and tourism professionals and organizations within the southeast
region. The association’s mission is to empower a diverse network of tourism
professionals through Education, Advocacy, Recognition, and Networking.
Member states include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia,
and West Virginia, plus the District of Columbia.
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Media
Contact:
Erika
L. Simmons
Southeast
Tourism Society
Marketing
& Communications Specialist
770-355-4002
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Tourism Society Successfully Completes Its Second Year of Marketing College®
on the Mercer University Campus (07/18/23) |
