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The Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association honored the tourism industry’s top accomplishments, businesses and individuals Tuesday during the sold out 26th Annual Pinnacle Awards at The Heritage event facility hosted by Visit Johnson City.
Presented by Bristol Motor Speedway and produced in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, representatives from the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and HospitalityTN were on hand as top performers who contribute to tourist related community and economic development in the Northeast Tennessee region were honored. The organization saw nearly 75 nominations in categories for marketing, advertising, events, attractions, individual achievement, and supporting business awards.
Ranked by a panel of judges within the tourism industry across the United States, a new record of 39 Pinnacle Awards were given to the top nomination in each category.
The event also hosted graduates of the Hospitality & Tourism Certificate program in partnership between East Tennessee State University and Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association.
Tourism is the second largest economic driver in Tennessee. And in a non-pandemic year, Northeast Tennessee generates more than $773 million in direct tourist spending, more than $189 million in payroll while employing 6,300 people, and generating $25 million in local sales tax annually.
The Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association was named the state’s 2019 Destination Marketing Organization of the Year, with a mission to serve as a catalyst to enhance regional economic and community growth through the promotion and development of tourism. The organization was chartered in 1977, as a non-profit tourism promotion and development agency that serves Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington counties in Tennessee.
Tourism puts $773 million dollars back into Northeast Tennessee each year.
Pinnacle Awards were given to the following projects, events and individuals in both small and large budget categories:
Attraction of the Year – Scott Adams Memorial Skatepark and Tiebreakers
Tourism Leader of the Year – Matt Moses, Nominated by USA Raft Adventure Resort
Event of the Year – Mountain City Sunflower Festival and Meet the Mountains
Best New Event – CareerQuest TN…Hospitality Works and Kingsport’s Red, White and BOOM!
Best Sports Event – NoliFest and Marching Bands of America
Roll With It Award – Gingy – Kingsport Christmas Connection Ambassador and Meet the Mountains Festival
Best Marketing Campaign – Explore Bristol
Best Public Relations Campaign – Bays Mountain Park Bobcats and Kingsport Wingman
Best High School Campaign – Look East, Sullivan East High School
Brochure or Guide – Carter County Visitor Guide
Rack Card – StoryTown Radio Show and Kingsport Fall Checklist
Mailer – ETSU Alliance for Continued Learning and Save the Date Meet the Mountains
Print Ad – Allegiant Nonstop Life, Carter County Tourism, Tri-Cities Airport Stairs, Explore Bristol
Commercial – Born in Bristol, Explore Bristol
Long Video – Explore Carter County, Bristol Caverns: Explore Underground, Explore Bristol
Short Video – Carter County Christmas and Explore the Outdoors, Explore Bristol
Social Media Campaign – Jonesborough: Small Business Saturday andExplore Bristol
Agency of the Year – Cindy Dupree Holloway Nominated by Birthplace of Country Music
Vendor of the Year – Creative Cat Nominated by Visit Johnson City
Partner of the Year – Kingsport Public Works Nominated by Visit Kingsport
Adventure Tourism – USA Raft Adventure Resort
Rising Star – Alayna Smith Nominated by Greene County Partnership
Sustainability Leader – Jennifer Wilder Nominated by Greene County Partnership
Frontline Employee of the Year – Eric Schrader, Courtyard Marriott Nominated by Visit Johnson City
Volunteers of the Year – Richie Hayward Nominated by Jonesborough Dept. of Tourism
Hospitality Leader of the Year – Christopher D. Haley Nominated by The Blackthorn Club