Local leaders and community members gathered to celebrate businesses that are driving tourism and growth in Warren County.
This week the Warren County Visitors Bureau held its annual tourism awards dinner, where they recognized outstanding contributions from local organizations.
It was a night of celebration as more than 60 local business leaders and members of the Warren County Visitors Bureau came together for their annual tourism awards banquet.
Each year, two awards are handed out at the dinner, honoring local events and organizations for their efforts in tourism and community outreach.
Winners receive a commemorative plaque, and their names added to the Warren County Visitors Bureau Wall of Fame.
Casey Ferry, the Executive Director of the Warren County Visitors Bureau, commented on the evening stating, "I am always so happy to host this event each year, honoring the work of local businesses and organizations. It is so great because it’s hard to choose. There are so many great things going on around here and it is great to acknowledge them."
This year, the event of the year award went to the Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry for their work on the 2024 National Canoe and Kayak Association Race, which brought in hundreds of visitors to the county.
“A lot of hard work goes in to putting an event on, such as the National Canoe Races," stated Jim Decker, President and CEO of WCCBI. "Getting the recognition from the locals for all the hard work that it takes to bring that here and make it happen over the course of seven days, is really rewarding and makes it all worthwhile.”
This year's organization of the year award was presented to Bent Run Brewing Company, a popular local microbrewery and restaurant known for drawing both locals and tourists to its unique venue.
Philip and Denise Caudill, Owners of Bent Run Brewing Co., commented on their win, stating, “Winning this year’s tourism organization of the year, although was a surprise, is a great honor and we could not have done it without the support of the community. We are very humbled and very happy to receive this award."
Event organizers say that the awards banquet was a success, and they cannot wait to highlight more tourism efforts throughout the year.
For more information on the Warren County Visitors Bureau and this year's tourism award winners, visit here.