Visit Owensboro brought home several awards from the recent Kentucky Travel Industry Association (KTIA) conference in Northern Kentucky, recognizing its achievements in tourism marketing and innovation.
According to its website, the KTIA Traverse Awards highlight excellence in tourism marketing across the state, with Visit Owensboro earning accolades in multiple categories. The awards were accepted by Mark Calitri, Dave Kirk, Katelyn Weaver, Teresa Jones, Kristina Collins, JT Pedley, and Claude Bacon.
Visit Owensboro received the following honors:
- Gold: ARPA funding for the Great Race event
- Silver: Heartland Travel Showcase Bid Document (Print Category)
- Silver: Choose Your Adventure (Video)
- Silver: West Kentucky BBQ Belt (Destination Management)
“Visit Owensboro has earned statewide recognition for its exceptional marketing efforts, demonstrating the organization’s positive trajectory and strong results,” said Claude Bacon, president/CEO of the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation and chairman of the Visit Owensboro board.
Bacon added that Owensboro and Daviess County are emerging as leaders in tourism and economic development across Kentucky.
“These awards showcase a broad range of achievements — from leveraging funding effectively to excelling in print, video, and destination management — proving that Visit Owensboro’s strategy is delivering impactful results,” Bacon said.
Dave Kirk, who works in destination management for Visit Owensboro, added, “We’re competing with the best of the best, and these awards are a testament to the hard work, creativity, and hustle that went into delivering excellence. This community should be proud of what Visit Owensboro is achieving.”
