NEWS

County tourism organizations honored at IMPACT awards

Sydney Murray
Reporter
Dean Lowry, of Orchard House Bed and Breakfast in Granville, excepts the award for  new partner of the year during Explore Licking County's 2016 Impact Awards at The Midland Theatre on Tuesday evening.

NEWARK - Explore Licking County honored multiple people and community organizations Tuesday at its annual IMPACT awards.

Seven awards were given out to people and organizations who contribute to the tourism industry in Licking County.

Explore Licking County Director of Sales and Marketing Carol Thress said the IMPACT awards were created to celebrate tourism and hospitality. She said organizers received a record number of nominations this year.

  • Orchard House Bed and Breakfast was awarded the New Partner of the Year Award. 
  • The Broadway Pub was awarded the Food and Beverage Partner of the Year. 
  • The Buxton Inn was awarded Lodging Partner of the Year. 
  • The Canal Market District dedication was awarded the Event of the Year. 
  • The Works was awarded Attraction of the Year. 
  • The Licking County River Round Up was awarded the Collaboration of the Year.
  • Bruce Cramer, executive director of Bryn Du Mansion, was awarded the 2016 Tourism Partner of the Year. 

Explore Licking County Executive Director Dan Moder said ELC was giving amazing awards to deserving people.

In 2015, Licking County tourism generated $390.4 million in business activity, an increase of $34 million since 2013.

"That's really, really good news," Moder said.

Moder said the industry also employs 5,500 people in Licking County.

He said the people searching out Licking County are primarily 25 to 34 years old; men; and those who like sports and recreation, family-friendly events, and are travel buffs. He said they are seeing interest come from Philadelphia, Detroit and Boston.

"They want to come see us," Moder said.

ELC also will be making some changes soon. The organization is planning to a hire visual content manager to create new visual messaging and manage the organization's social media.

ELC also is creating a new ELC tourism scholarship for students who want to pursue a career in tourism and hospitality.

Licking County commissioners Tim Bubb and Duane Flowers presented a proclamation stating the first Tuesday in December is "Licking County Tourism Impact Day."

​"So how super cool is this?" Moder asked.

Moder thanked his board of directors for the freedoms they gave him throughout the year.

"We were able to come up with many innovative ways to get the word out," Moder said.

Moder said he hopes that in 2017 the tourism industry in Licking County will have a $400 million impact. He said everything they take to the open market needs to be fresh and engaging.

"I think we're up to the challenge," Moder said.

slmurray@gannett.com

740-328-8544

Twitter: @sydlmurray