2025 Award Winners
Southwest Virginia Tourism Awards Presented by Friends of Southwest Virginia
FRIENDS OF SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA ANNOUNCE WINNERS OF THE SWVA TOURISM AWARDS
Awards Luncheon Held During the Celebrate Tourism Summit in Wytheville
WYTHEVILLE, Va. (Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025) – Nearly 200 tourism professionals gathered on Tuesday at the sixth annual Celebrate Tourism Summit at the Wytheville Meeting Center, which was presented by Visit Wytheville, Virginia Tourism Corporation, and Friends of Southwest Virginia.
During the event, Friends of Southwest Virginia hosted the Southwest Virginia Tourism Awards Ceremony to honor the exceptional work within the region’s tourism industry.
Friends of Southwest Virginia proudly presented awards in various categories, recognizing the remarkable contributions to tourism marketing, visitor services, events, and leadership. These awards were open to tourism organizations, individuals in tourism and economic development, and tourism-related businesses within the 19 counties and four cities of the Southwest Virginia region.
“It’s exciting to celebrate the people who make Southwest Virginia shine,” said Kim Davis, Executive Director of Friends of Southwest Virginia. “Tourism is a major economic driver for our region, and these award winners are the heart of it all, sharing their story, welcoming visitors, and helping our Southwest Virginia communities thrive.”
Southwest Virginia tourism professionals submitted over 70 nominations. Winners were selected by a panel of tourism industry professionals from across the United States, who carefully reviewed and judged each entry.
The 2025 Southwest Virginia Tourism Award winners were:
Excellence In Tourism Leadership
Outstanding Tourism Leader
Matt Bolas
Explore Bristol
Shining Star – Tourism Executive of the Year
James Houchins
Patrick County Tourism
Rising Star
Kathleen Legg
Floyd County Tourism
Outstanding Volunteer of the Year
Wayne Kirkpatrick
Nominated by Patrick County Chamber of Commerce
Outstanding Volunteer of the Year
Lawrence Inscho
Nominated by Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Outstanding Tourism Partner of the Year
Sinkland Farms
Excellence In Tourism Partners
Outstanding Accommodations of the Year
Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection
Nominated by Patrick County Tourism
Best New Tourism Business with Accommodation of the Year
Haus of Taylor
Nominated by Visit Tazewell County
Outstanding New Attraction of the Year
Blue Ridge Bobcats at Hitachi Energy Arena
Nominated by Wythe County
Outstanding New Attraction of the Year
Floyd Country Store
Nominated by Floyd County Tourism