Looking for recognition?
What are the STS Shining Example Awards?

The Shining Example Awards recognize outstanding contributions in tourism in the Southeastern states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia & West Virginia.

Each September in conjunction with the STS Fall Meeting, we honor those that have advanced the cause of travel and tourism in the Southeast.

Thank you for your 2010 nominations; those selected will be announced September 9 in Greenville, S.C. at the Fall meeting.

2009
Shining Example Recipients

Travel Attraction of the Year
Snow Mountain at Stone Mountain Park - St. Mountain, Ga.

CVB of the Year (budget under $100,000)
Decatur-Morgan County CVB – Decatur, Ala.

CVB of the Year (budget over $100,000)
Tunica CVB – Tunica, Miss.

Regional Organization of the Year
Southern & Eastern Kentucky Tourism Development Association

Top 20 Event / Festival of the Year (attendance under 100,000)
Trail of Honor – Jackson, Miss.

Festival of the Year (attendance over 100,000)
Virginia Beach Neptune Festival – Virginia Beach, Va.

Internet Excellence
Pensacola Bay Area CVB – Pensacola, Fla.

Governmental Tourism Leadership Award
Mayor John Rhodes – Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Visual Excellence
Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB – Montgomery, Ala.

Tourism for Tomorrow
Tennessee Dept. of Tourist Development

Rising Star Award
Neal McCoy, Tupelo CVB – Tupelo, Miss.

A complement to the Shining Example Awards is presentation of the Dorothy Hardman Spirit of STS Award that recognizes an STS member's dedication to the Society. The 2009 recipient is Larry Halpern of Positive Energy.

Southeast Tourism Society board chairman, Leon Downey, recognized John Hudak, Madden Media, with the Chairman of the Board Award for outstanding service to the Society and the board.