About the Awards
Timeline
2026 Timeline
Nominations Open: April 1
Nominations Close: April 30
Awards: August 4, 2026
Rules
Purpose
Judging and Award Announcements
Friends of Southwest Virginia selects industry experts across the Southeast United States to judge each category and select award winners. The winners are announced at an awards luncheon in August at the Celebrate Tourism Conference.
Who Can Enter
Southwest Virginia Tourism Awards is open to tourism organizations, tourism and economic development individuals, and tourism-related businesses located within the 19 counties of the Southwest Virginia region.
Eligibility
Entries should relate to destination marketing and tourism initiatives within Southwest Virginia throughout the 2025 year.
How to Enter
Complete Entry Form.
Please ensure that entries reflect work completed during the year 2025. We will not be accepting submissions for work done in 2026.
Use the following checklist to submit an entry:
For Excellence In Tourism Marketing Campaigns
Include description of campaign and results, include overall campaign budget, supporting materials, photos and videos (add links to Word doc to submit), and PDF of proof of project.
For Excellence in Tourism Marketing Collateral
Upload a copy of rack card, brochure, magazine, or print ad. For videos, upload link to video.
For Excellence in Tourism Partners and Tourism Leadership Awards
Include summary of individual or organization and include why the person or organization should be honored.
Awards Categories
Print & Collateral
Best Visitor Guide or Magazine
- Tourism Marketing Budget - $50,000 or Less
- Tourism Marketing Budget - $50,000 or More
Best Rack Card or Brochure
- Tourism Marketing Budget - $50,000 or Less
- Tourism Marketing Budget - $50,000 or More
Digital & Web
Best Destination Marketing Organization Website
- Tourism Marketing Budget - $50,000 or Less
- Tourism Marketing Budget - $50,000 or More
Best Tourism Related Business Website (Attraction, Event, Outfitter, etc.)
- Tourism Marketing Budget - $50,000 or Less
- Tourism Marketing Budget - $50,000 or More
Video & Visual Storytelling
Best Short-Form Video - 60 Seconds or Less (Marketing Budget $50,000 or More)
- Tourism Marketing Budget - $50,000 or Less
- Tourism Marketing Budget - $50,000 or More
Best Long Form Video - 60 Seconds or More (Marketing Budget $50,000 or More)
- Tourism Marketing Budget - $50,000 or Less
- Tourism Marketing Budget - $50,000 or More
Marketing Campaigns & Advertising
Best Print Ad
- Tourism Marketing Budget - $50,000 or Less
- Tourism Marketing Budget - $50,000 or More
Best Destination Marketing Campaign
This category recognizes the best overall marketing campaign including paid media, earned media, marketing content creation, and successful results in driving visitation to a destination or region. This can include social media, public relations, and/or overall marketing campaign.
- Tourism Marketing Budget - $50,000 or Less
- Tourism Marketing Budget - $50,000 or More
Tourism Excellence Awards
Outstanding Accomodation of the Year
The award will recognize an accomodation that has played a key role in driving tourism to a locality, county, and region.
Outstanding Attraction of the Year
Award will recognize an attraction in Southwest Virginia that exemplifies excellence in their operations and marketing efforts.
Outstanding New Tourism Business of the Year
Award will recognize excellence in the planning and development of a NEW tourism business and/or service that opened in 2025
Events & Festivals
Outstanding One-Day Event of the Year
Award will recognize a one-day event that had community support and attracted visitors to Southwest Virginia.
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Outstanding One-Day Event of the Year with Less than 5,000 Attendees
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Outstanding One-Day Event of the Year with More than 5,000 Attendees
Outstanding Festival of the Year (2 or more days)
Award will recognize a multi-day event that had community support and attracted visitors to Southwest Virginia.
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Outstanding Multi-Day Festival of the Year with Less than 10,000 Attendees
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Outstanding Multi-Day Festival of the Year with More than 10,000 Attendees
Leadership & Service Awards
Outstanding Tourism Partner of the Year
The award recognizes an individual or organization that has been a tremendous partner to a tourism organization.
Outstanding Volunteer
This award celebrates a dedicated volunteer whose time, energy, and commitment have made a meaningful impact on a tourism organization and its mission.
Rising Star Award
Tourism professional that is an emerging leader within the tourism industry.
Tourism Leader of the Year
The award recognizes an individual that has made an outstanding and lasting contribution to tourism within the Southwest Virginia region.