FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 28, 2019
Contact: Danielle Jonigan, Marketing & Communications Manager
Telephone: 302-734-4888 Ext. 104
E-mail: djonigan@visitdelawarevillages.com
Website: www.VisitDelawareVillages.com
Downtown Dover Partnership, Fifer Orchards & Country Store and Bike Delaware Among Honorees at Celebration of Tourism Luncheon & Awards
Dover, DE—Kent County Tourism Corporation is proud to announce its 2019 Celebration of Tourism Luncheon & Awards recipients. This event will be held on Friday, November 1, 2019 at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino from 11a.m. to 2p.m.
This year’s Luncheon will feature keynote speaker, Kevin Reilly. Kevin speaks from the heart and uses his own life as a lesson on how all of us can prevail from bad luck, adversity and pain to find the very best in ourselves. His ability to motivate any kind of group – from school kids to employees of Fortune 500 companies -is enhanced by his gift of tackling an audience and not letting go.
“Keeping with the tradition, the Tourism Person of the Year will not be announced until the day of the event,” said Pete Bradley, President of Kent County Tourism. “We’re excited to have this person as a part of our tourism community, always eager and willing to help our continued efforts as we grow our shared drive to bring potential visitors to the County.”
Event Sponsors include: Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, Delaware State News, Faw Casson, Downtown Dover Partnership, First State Heritage Park, Hilton Garden Inn, and Residence Inn.
This event is open to the public. Tickets are $50 per person/$300 per table of eight and may be purchased at https://www.visitdelawarevillages.com/luncheon or by calling Kent County Tourism at 302-734-4888. Cash, check or credit cards will be accepted on the day of the Luncheon as well.
Awards at Luncheon:
Legacy Award Kent County Tourism will have a special recognition program where they’ll recognize past board members for their service, time and dedication. This year’s legacy award will be given to Sarah Zimmerman (First State Heritage Park- 5 years in service)
Certified Tourism Ambassador of the Year Award: Joseph Phillips Joey, the co-owner of the Bed & Breakfast Causey Mansion, took on and volunteered to be the interim Executive Director for Downtown Milford Inc. (DMI). With his role, Joey passionately promoted to community and visitors alike all the great things to see & do in downtown Milford. He is a true ambassador and promoter of many fine events in Milford such as Ladybug Music Festival, Farmers Market, and Riverwalk Festival, to name a few. Joey is always eager to help volunteer and promote Kent County at major DE Turf Sport Tournaments. Joey also helped put together a coupon package for Milford for DE Turf visitors and teams.
Tourism Partner of the Year Award: Bike Delaware The Amish Country Bike Tour has been a long-standing popular event managed and produced by Kent County Tourism. Three years ago, Kent County Tourism and Bike Delaware created a partnership to help transition over the management of the event to Bike Delaware to grow the love of cycling in Kent County. Bike Delaware took the lead role in organizing and managing this year’s Tour in addition to adding two separate Sunday rides, truly making it a weekend long event and generating overnight hotel stays.
Tourism Attraction of the Year Award: Fifer Orchards & Country Store Fifer Orchards & Country Store mission is to grow and sell high-quality produce, while preserving the environment, serving the community and maintaining family values. Fifer Orchards produces a myriad of annual events throughout the year such as U-Pick opportunities, Fall Fest, Cider Fest, Strawberry Festival which are loved by the community and out of state visitors. This year, Fifer Orchards is celebrating their 100th anniversary.
Tourism Champion of the Year Award: Downtown Dover Partnership The Downtown Dover Partnership organization is committed to driving an improved quality of life for residents and visitors of Dover through collective collaboration of economic development and promotion of Dover’s unique historical properties. Downtown Dover Partnership aggressively markets Dover that there are many things to do and see in Downtown Dover and help promote and organize First Fridays, Weekly Farmers Markets, Holiday celebration events to showcase Downtown Dover to our residents and visitors.
Village of the Year Award: Harrington This award is presented to one of our Villages that understands the importance and economic impact of tourism to their community. Celebrating their 150th Anniversary with many events celebrating their milestone including Farm to Table Community Dinner, Harrington Heritage Day with Fireworks, and Incorporation Day Dinner to name a few. In addition, The Delaware State Fair celebrated their 100th anniversary and set a record attendance this year.
Person of the Year Award: Will be announced at Luncheon
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Kent County Tourism Corporation (dba Delaware’s Quaint Villages) is the destination marketing organization for Kent County, Delaware and its incorporated cities and towns. As the primary programmatic arm for Kent County travel and tourism promotion, it leads the Kent County tourism industry to work together to generate visitor spending by developing and implementing comprehensive destination marketing programs. It is a self-governing private not-for-profit 501 © 6 corporation with a Board of Directors.