LYNCHBURG

The Virginia Association of Destination Marketing Organizations (VADMO), an association supporting destination marketing organizations and the development of tourism and travel professionals in Virginia, announced the winners of the 2018 VIRGO Awards at their 2019 Tourism Symposium held at the Virginian Hotel in Lynchburg, Virginia on April 28-30.

Smithfield and Isle of Wight Convention and Visitors Bureau was announced as a VIRGO winner this year for their entry in the “Advertising and Promotions – DMO Budget UNDER $1 million” for their “Crush Friday” video.

The VIRGO Awards, now in their tenth year, celebrate the success of destination marketing organizations along with their respective staff members and volunteers.

Theresa Earles, Tourism Development Manager with Suffolk Tourism, presented the VIRGO Awards on behalf of VADMO, and said “For 10 years VADMO has been honoring the best and brightest stars in Virginia’s tourism industry. We see continuous innovation and success in our members’ marketing initiatives, destination events, and professional accomplishments. The VIRGO Awards showcase the consistent talent and dedication of VADMO’s members. While it is a competition, it offers an excellent opportunity for statewide recognition, as well as peer assessment for our destination marketing organizations.”

Judges for the awards were industry peers. Submissions were evaluated on the quality of the submission, economic efficiency, and the economic or community impact. The awards were for projects, campaigns, and efforts completed between January 2018 and December 2018.

The Virginia Association of Destination Marketing Organizations is a not-for profit 501c6 membership organization made up of destination marketing organizations, visitor bureaus, and the companies that support them. Since it started in 1978, the organization has been promoting professionalism within the Virginia tourism industry and has worked on behalf of its members to make sure that tourism and travel continue to be strong economic drivers in the Commonwealth’s economy. For more information about VADMO please visit www.vadmo.org or contact the organization at +1 540 904-4710.

For more information on the Crush Friday video or campaign, contact Lois Tokarz at 353-5521 or via email at ltokarz@isleofwightus.net.