Signature Events

Submission Guidelines for 2025 Signature Events of the Southeast

The Southeast Tourism Society (STS) invites event organizers across the Southeast to submit their events for consideration in the 2025 Signature Events of the Southeast program. This prestigious designation recognizes outstanding festivals, community celebrations, themed events, holiday programs, home tours, and craft festivals that exemplify excellence in tourism and community engagement.

Submission Deadline: June 30, 2025

To ensure your event is considered for the 2025 Signature Events of the Southeast recognition, please submit all relevant details by June 30, 2025. This deadline is crucial for the timely review and selection process.

Eligibility and Automatic Consideration for “Event or Festival of the Year”

All events that are part of the Southeast Signature Events program are automatically eligible for the “Event or Festival of the Year” category in the STS Shining Example Awards. This esteemed award honors the most exemplary events within the Southeast region, highlighting their impact on tourism and community development.

No Additional Submissions Required

Please note that no separate submission is required for the “Event or Festival of the Year” category if your event is already part of the Signature Events of the Southeast program. The selection committee will consider all eligible events for this award during the review process.

Event Criteria

To qualify for the Signature Events of the Southeast designation, events must meet the following criteria:

Location: Events must take place within the 13 STS Member States and the District of Columbia: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

Event Type: Events should be festivals, themed events, community celebrations, holiday programs, home tours, or craft festivals.

Impact: Events should demonstrate a positive impact on tourism, community engagement, and regional development.

Benefits of Being a Signature Event of the Southeast

As a 2025 Signature Event, you’ll receive:

• Promotional Features on STS social media channels

• Recognition in our STS newsletter distributed to thousands of tourism professionals

• An official STS Signature Event digital seal and certificate to use in your marketing

• Automatic eligibility for the “2025 Event or Festival of the Year” Shining Example Award—no extra submission required!

For More Information:

For any questions or further information regarding the Signature Events of the Southeast program, please contact Adrienne Gadling at adrienne@southeasttourism.org