Visit Owensboro earned several Gold and Silver Traverse Awards for Excellence in Tourism from the Kentucky Travel Industry Association during the organization’s annual conference earlier this month.
The organization received Gold awards for its work on the multi-partner Kentucky Garden Trail and Kentucky Americana Triangle websites, as well as the Kentucky Garden Trail Passport specialty items. Silver awards were earned in several categories, including Destination Management for the Kentucky Americana Triangle initiative and Owensboro Burger Week, ARPA-Funded Projects for the Kentucky Garden Trail, Marketing Campaign for the Americana Triangle, Print for the Garden Trail Passport Journal and ROMP Brochure, and Video or Podcast for the Garden Trail Video.
Visit Owensboro President Mark Calitri said the recognition is a reflection of the team’s commitment to excellence and the community’s growing reputation as a travel destination.
“I’m incredibly proud of our team, our board, and everyone who plays a role in making Visit Owensboro what it is,” Calitri said. “These awards confirm what we already know: that our organization is getting it done at the highest level. They’re more than plaques or recognition; they represent real results for our community.”
Calitri said Visit Owensboro’s mission is about more than tourism. He said it’s about strengthening the local economy and highlighting what makes Owensboro unique.
“Owensboro is a special place, and it deserves this kind of effort and attention,” he said. “Every event we bring in, every visitor we attract, helps strengthen local businesses and families. That’s why we do what we do, to make sure Owensboro continues to shine as one of Kentucky’s top destinations.”
Kentucky Travel Industry Association President and CEO Hank Phillips said the level of competition across the state demonstrates the growth and innovation within Kentucky’s tourism sector.
“These awards were among the most competitive we’ve ever seen across Kentucky,” Phillips said. “That tells us a lot about where tourism in our state is headed. It’s growing fast, and communities are stepping up their game. Local tourism teams are working harder than ever to attract visitors, and that effort pays off in real ways. Every single visitor makes a difference for jobs, for small businesses, and for the local economy. That’s why this competition matters, and it’s a great sign for Kentucky tourism as a whole.”
The Kentucky Travel Industry Association represents nearly 1,000 members from across the state’s tourism sector, which contributes more than $14 billion annually to Kentucky’s economy.
