Stars of the Industry Awards Presented at Governor’s Conference on Tourism 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The Division of Tourism and Tourism Commission recognized the best in the state’s tourism industry at the “Stars of the Industry” award ceremony at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort Sept. 17. 

Ron Marcus was awarded the Oshel Craigo Lifetime Achievement Award. The award recognizes Marcus’ exemplary service to the state’s tourism industry.

Marcus has been in the travel and tourism business for more than 40 years. He is the co-owner of Marcus Enterprises, the Turf Motel and Rib Room in downtown Charles Town, and the Quality Hotel in Harpers Ferry. Marcus has served as president of the Jefferson County Convention & Visitors Bureau for the past 20 years and has been a member of the West Virginia Tourism Commission since 2005.

The lifetime achievement award is the highest honor given by the West Virginia Tourism Commission. It honors individuals whose support for the tourism industry over many years has helped the industry grow and become an important economic development tool for West Virginia.  Persons nominated for this award must demonstrate continued and long-term leadership and generosity that contributes to the growth and success of the entire state’s tourism industry.

Cliff Sutherland, president of the Greater Morgantown Convention & Visitors Bureau, event coordinator for MountainFest and Triple-S Harley Davidson owner, was presented with the Tourism Professional of the Year award.  His work has helped draw in approximately 50,000 people to this year’s MountainFest. The motorcycle festival benefits charities such as Mylan Park, a nonprofit recreational and educational complex dedicated to improving the quality of life of residents and visitors in North-Central West Virginia.

The Tourism Professional of the Year award recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding and significant contribution that enriches West Virginia’s tourism industry through outstanding job performance, leadership in the tourism industry or development and improvement of tourism facilities and activities.

“Ron Marcus and Cliff Sutherland’s contributions have had a significant impact on the state’s tourism industry and these recognitions are highly deserved,” Tourism Commissioner Betty Carver said. 

These awards represent the Stars of the Industry awards program, which recognizes the best in West Virginia tourism promotion, growth and media coverage. Additional Stars of the Industry categories and first place winners were also announced at the conference.

For more information about the West Virginia Tourism Stars of the Industry awards, visit www.wvtourism.com.

 INDUSTRY AWARDS

• The Mountaineer Award – Lewisburg Chocolate Festival. Recognizes innovative marketing with limited resources that uses the media to gain attention for an event or destination.
• The Spirit of West Virginia Award – Martinsburg-Berkeley County CVB. Recognizes community efforts that promote tourism development that enhances community pride while preserving the state’s heritage and beauty.
• The Mountain State Award – Blue Smoke Salsa. Recognizes an event or entity that stands above the rest for excellence in programming, distinctiveness and impact on the state’s economy or image.
• West Virginia Community Development Award – Mylan Park. Recognizes a community or organization that has enhanced its local resources through multi-business cooperatives, imaginative and innovative development efforts.

 MEDIA AWARDS – EDITORIAL

• Best Print Article – Laura Parquette, Snowshoe Mountain
• Best Print Photography or Layout – Winfield Ross, Early American Life

 MEDIA AWARDS – ADVERTISING

• Best Overall Advertising Campaign – Southern West Virginia CVB.
• Most Innovative Marketing Campaign – Ed Schneider, Snowshoe Mountain

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