RCCVB Kicks Off National Tourism Week with Annual Pineapple Awards

Article presented by Kingston National Bank …

***2023 Grand Pineapple Award Winner: David Polk with RCCVB Executive Director Melody Young. Mike Smith/Litter Media***

To kick off National Tourism Week, the Ross-Chillicothe Convention and Visitors Bureau held its 8th Annual Tourism Pineapple Awards Banquet Monday at the Christopher Conference Center.
The banquet recognized the best of the best in the local tourism industry.

Why a Pineapple? The prickly fruit has been widely established as a symbol of hospitality from the days of colonization dating as far back as explorer Christopher Columbus.

The winners of awards are:

Volunteer of the Year: Aubrey Herrnstein for her service to Downtown Chillicothe and the Sand in the Streets event

Front Line Associate of the Year: Karen Bright from The Scioto Society for her service in the gift shop at “Tecumseh!”

Behind the Scenes Associate of the Year: Dr. Bret Ruby, Park Archeologist at Hopewell Culture National Historical Park

Manager of the Year: Erica Woodard, Brand Manager of The Pour House at Machinery Hall

Grand Pineapple Award: David Polk, longtime tourism board member and supporter

Volunteer of the Year: Aubrey Herrnstein with Sands in the Streets Volleyball Tournament

The RCCVB also awarded $20,000 in assistance to eight local organizations with funding through its Promotional Assistance Grant Program. Those receiving funds are:

Buckeye Off-Road Expo, helping promote its event September 22-24, 2023 at the Ross County Fairgrounds.

Downtown Chillicothe, to assist in advertising the Sand in the Streets Volleyball Tournament August 26, 2023.

First Capital Brews Cruze, to advertise and promote a new 15 passenger pedal pub.

Pump House Center for the Arts, to assist with securing their guest speaker, musical performances and advertising for their Juneteenth Program running June 1-30, 2023.

Ross County Agricultural Society, used to help with advertising efforts for the new RoCo Music Fest, September 1-3, 2023 at the Ross County Fairgrounds.

Smash It Demolition Derby, to help promote the annual Bash for Cash May 26-28, 2023.

Southern Ohio Forest Rally, to assist with marketing efforts, banners and spectator guides for patrons June 8-10, 2023.

The Buck Fifty, to assist with advertising, race expo fees for next year’s race, April 19-20, 2024.