2024 Award Winners

WYTHEVILLE, Va. (Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024) – Over 200 tourism professionals gathered on Tuesday at the fifth 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 of the Southwest Virginia region.

“Celebrating the contributions and accomplishments of our tourism partners is vital,” said Kim Davis, Executive Director of Friends of Southwest Virginia. “Tourism is a key economic driver in Southwest Virginia, and we’re thrilled to acknowledge these outstanding leaders who tirelessly showcase and market our region to travelers.”

Southwest Virginia tourism professionals submitted over 65 nominations. Winners were selected by a panel of tourism industry professionals from across the Southeastern United States and one judge from England, who carefully reviewed and judged each entry.

The 2024 Southwest Virginia Tourism Award winners were:

Excellence In Tourism Leadership

Shining Star – Tourism Executive of the Year

Rosa Lee Jude

Visit Wytheville

Outstanding Tourism Partner of the Year

One Family Productions

Nominated by Patrick County Chamber

Excellence In Tourism Partners

Outstanding New Tourism Business of the Year

Crooked Mountain

Nominated by Floyd County Tourism

Outstanding Festival of the Year (2 or more days)

More than 10,000 Attendees

Chautauqua Festival

Nominated by Visit Wytheville

Outstanding One-Day Event of the Year

More than 3,000 Attendees

Town of Rocky Mount – 150Fest

Excellence In Tourism Marketing Campaigns

Best Social Media Campaign

Grayson County Tourism

Best Overall Destination Marketing Campaign

Explore Bristol

Excellence in Tourism Marketing Collateral

Best New Website

Marketing Budget $50,000 or More

Patrick County Tourism

Best Video for an Event

Marketing Budget $50,000 or More

Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion 2023 Re-cap Video

Birthplace of Country Music

Best Video Series (more than 3 videos in a series) – TIE

Marketing Budget $50,000 or less

We are Smyth Strong

Smyth County Tourism Association

Best Long Video – More than 60 seconds

Marketing Budget $50,000 or less

Hometown Anthem: Galax Tourism Video

City of Galax

Best Short Video – Less than 60 Seconds

Marketing Budget $50,000 or less

Galax Music Reel Horiz

City of Galax

Best Print Ad

Marketing Budget $50,000 or more

TRI Airport Ad

Explore Bristol

Best Visitor Guide 

Explore Bristol

Best Rack Card or Brochure 

Marketing Budget $50,000 or less

Experience Russell County Adventure Guide

Russell County Tourism Department