We, the Ross-Chillicothe Convention & Visitors Bureau, held our annual Tourism Banquet on Monday, May 7th to kick-off National Travel & Tourism week and to celebrate tourism with Ross County partners. This marked the event’s fifth anniversary with each year showing growth in attendance and nominations of our Pineapple Awards.
As part of the event, we also award funding through our Promotional Assistance Program. The program is designed to allow the Bureau to provide cooperative funding to non-profit/profit organizations, attractions and individual events in Ross County to help promote their event or program while increasing awareness and the potential for tourism to Ross County. Similar to the Pineapple nominations, the Promotional Assistance Program has grown over the years with applications from lots of great events and organizations.
Each year the categories for the Pineapple Awards remain the same and are used in recognizing the “Best of the Best” in Ross County tourism and hospitality industry. The selection process of recipients is voted on by different tourism groups from around the state who doesn’t have any Ross County connections, and nomination forms don’t reflect the individual’s name or property – only what they have done to be nominated by their supervisors, peers and/or guests.
This year’s recipients were:
The Grand Pineapple Award:
This award was bestowed upon Robert Leach and Richard Rutherford for all of their work in coordinating with many organizations and individuals, the commemorative centennial event, “Camp Sherman Days”.
Director / Inn Keeper of the Year Award:
Andrea Davis (Christopher Inn & Suites)
Front Line Associate of the Year Award:
Bridget Coe (Hampton Inn & Suites)
Behind the Scenes Associate of the Year Award:
Becky Helterbridle (The Scioto Society / Tecumseh Outdoor Drama)
Volunteer of the Year Award:
The Chillicothe Tree Commission (Whitey Coates representing in photo)
We want to congratulate not only those who received Pineapple Awards, but to all of the nominees as well!
Promotional Assistance Funding was granted to five organizations:
• The Buck Fifty
• Southern Ohio Forest Rally
• Ohio Jeep Fest
• The Scioto Society
• Chillicothe Halloween Festival
The Bureau would also like to thank the Christopher Conference Center and staff for hosting our event, the Ross County Commissioners (Steve Neal, Doug Corcoran, & Dwight Garrett), Chillicothe Mayor Luke Feeney, our Board of Directors, and all of our partners! We’re already looking forward to next year’s banquet!
