Sept. 14, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Caryn Gresham
304-558-2003, ext. 347
cgresham@wvcommerce.org

Tourism’s ‘Stars of the Industry’ media award contest deadline nears
New program recognizes matching advertising successes

SOUTH CHARLESTON -- The Sept. 22 deadline for the West Virginia Division of Tourism’s annual tourism industry and media awards program is quickly approaching. The Division of Tourism this year introduces a new awards program that recognizes industry success in using the Matching Advertising Partnership Program.

“The awards celebrate the best industry programs and the best media coverage of the state’s tourism industry,” said Tourism Commissioner Betty Carver. “We are especially pleased this year to showcase the exceptional work that comes from the matching advertising partnership program.”

Businesses and individuals in the state tourism industry and media outlets that covered tourism-related subjects from July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006, may enter the Stars of the Industry awards program. Stars of the Industry categories include print, broadcast and Web editorial coverage in the media categories and program and industry activities in the industry categories. There is no entry fee and the deadline is Sept. 22.

Award categories, entry forms and rules, plus previous winners, may be downloaded from the Division of Tourism’s online newsroom at www.callwvanews.com.

“The new Partners in Progress Awards recognize innovative and effective direct advertising projects that receiving matching funds from the Division of Tourism,” Carver said. “These projects have increased visitation and travel expenditures in West Virginia and we want to recognize their impact.”

Partners in Progress entries will be showcased at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism Nov. 27 – 29 at the Marriott hotel in Charleston and conference attendees will be the judges. The deadline for these entries is Oct. 17. Nomination forms and guidelines are available at www.wvtourism.com and can be found under the “Industry Information” tab.

The Division of Tourism will present the winners during the annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism at an awards luncheon Nov. 29 at the Marriott Hotel in Charleston.

# # #