Huntington, W.Va. (September 15, 2022) – This year’s Stars of Almost Heaven award winners were recognized Wednesday evening during the 2022 Governor’s Conference on Tourism at the DoubleTree Hilton in Huntington.
The annual Stars of Almost Heaven Awards are an opportunity for the West Virginia Department of Tourism to recognize industry partners from across the state for their outstanding achievements in advertising, marketing and public relations, as well as their contributions to the tourism industry in West Virginia. Award nominations were voted upon by a committee of marketing experts and professionals.
“I love when the Stars of Almost Heaven award ceremony rolls around each year, because that means we get to reflect on all the great work our industry partners are doing to promote tourism in West Virginia,” said West Virginia Department of Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby.
The 2022 Stars of Almost Heaven award recipients are as follows:
Advertising/Public Relations Categories
- Overall Earned Media | Visit Southern West Virginia, Greenbrier Valley CVB, Explore Summers County, and Adventures on the Gorge
- Overall Advertising Campaign | Ski The Valley
- Overall Marketing Campaign | Oglebay
- Print Article | Terri Colby for the Chicago Tribune: “Rapid Pulse: The County’s Newest National Park is Primed for White-Water Rafting Adventure in West Virginia”
- Print/Photography Layout | Adventures on the Gorge’s 2022 Catalog
- Social Media | Convention & Visitors Bureau of Marion County
- Website | Charleston Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Co-Op Ad | Visit Mercer County
Industry Recognition Categories
- Governor’s Award for Regional Cooperation | Mon Forest Towns
- Spirit of West Virginia Award | Brandon Doerner, Meeks Mountain Trail Alliance
- The Mountain State Award | Charleston Sternwheel Regatta
- West Virginia Community Tourism Development Award | Timberline Mountain
- West Virginia Tourism Oshel Craigo Lifetime Achievement Award | Tyson Compton
- West Virginia Tourism Professional of the Year Award | Lisa Strader
“This year, we also finally had the chance to properly honor the 2021 winners. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the resilience of our industry at our first in person Governor’s Conference in two years than by double the celebration!”
2021 Award Recipients:
Print / Photography | Tucker County CVB
- Co-Op Ad | Greenbrier CVB, Visit Southern, New River Gorge CVB, Summersville CVB, Adventures on the Gorge
- Overall Ad Campaign | CVB of Marion County
- West Virginia Community Tourism Development Award | Jefferson County, CVB
- Overall Earned Media | Jeff Wamsley, Mothman Museum
- Social Media | Oglebay Resort
- Spirit of West Virginia Award | City of Marlinton
- The Mountain State Award | Snowshoe Mountain
- Print Article | Blue Ridge Country – Backroads Nirvana: A two day, 160 mile West Virginia Ramble
- Overall Marketing Campaign | Capon Springs and Farms
- West Virginia Tourism Professional of The Year | Tim Brady
- West Virginia Tourism Oshel Craigo Award | Jeannee Mozier
- Website | Hotel Morgan
- Governor’s Award for Regional Cooperation | Greenbrier CVB, Explore Summer Co CVB, Visit Southern WV, Adventures on the Gorge
Please see link to image gallery here. Photo credit: West Virginia Department of Tourism
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