West Virginia Events Receive National Recognition from American Bus Association (ABA)
WEST VIRGINIA EVENTS RECEIVE NATIONAL RECOGNITION FROM AMERICAN BUS ASSOCIATION (ABA)
Hinton Railroad Days, The Rocket Boys Festival, Oglebay’s Festival of Lights recognized
Top 100 Events (via ABA): https://bit.ly/ABA100
CHARLESTON, WV (September 29, 2015) – Three West Virginia events–Hinton Railroad Days in Hinton, The Rocket Boys Festival in Beckley, and Oglebay’s Festival of Lights in Wheeling–were included in the American Bus Association’s (ABA) Top 100 events in the United States and Canada. This is the second year in a row Hinton Railroad Days has been included in the top 100 events.
“As group travel continues to offer more customized experiences for changing audiences, it’s important for the Mountain State to showcase events, attractions and destinations that can engage new audiences and preserve the traditions that keep the crowds coming back year after year,” Commissioner of Tourism Amy Shuler Goodwin said. “We are thrilled to have these three West Virginia events included on this year’s ABA Top 100 list.”
The ABA publishes an annual travel guide specifically designed for group travel with 100 events that are carefully selected by a committee of group travel professionals. Each spring the committee selects from hundreds of potential nominees that range from exhibits, fairs, festivals, shows, parades, and theaters. Nominees are judged by ease of access for large groups, overall appeal, as well as other criteria.
“We enjoy the Railroad Days Festival each year because it provides the opportunity to showcase C&O Railroad history, and it provides an opportunity for Hinton and Summers counties to draw visitors to the area,” said Pat Hanifin, a Hinton Railroad Museum Volunteer.
“We are very proud to be on the list and very proud that we can continue to update the festival,” said Caren Knoyer, Marketing Director for Oglebay. “This continuous reinvention has kept the Oglebay Festival of Lights on the Top 100 list several times.”
“It is always good to be recognized at the national level. The Rocket Boys is too good of a story not to share what they did,” Scott Hill, Rocket Boys Festival Director said. “This is a different event than any other and is an all-around good time for everyone.”
ABA is the trade organization for the intercity bus industry and is made up of over 1,000 motorcoach and tour companies in the United States and Canada.
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This post was last updated on September 29, 2015