NEWSLETTER
Legacy Awards Recognize Outstanding Contributions to Ontario County Tourism
Canandaigua, NY - On October 18, Ontario County tourism professionals and supporters joined the Finger Lakes Visitors Connection at Bristol Mountain in Canandaigua to present the Legacy Awards honoring some of the best and the brightest of Ontario County’s tourism partners. The Legacy Awards recognize individuals and organizations for their outstanding work in destination development, tourism promotion, and visitor service that have gone above and beyond their usual duties to ensure that every visitor has an exceptional experience when they visit Ontario County. Finger Lakes Visitors Connection Board Chair and Executive Director of Sonnenberg Gardens Mansion & State Historic Park remarked, “Our tourism agency is proud to tell the story of award winners and the special places that have left a lasting legacy of tourism excellence, serving as inspiration and role models that make our industry so successful.”
Since 1993, the Finger Lakes Visitors Connection has recognized 150 people and businesses with a tourism Legacy Award including the 16 honorees recognized at this year’s event. Each Legacy Award recipient received a beautiful Legacy Finger Lakes Platter, crafted by Jamie Kozlowski of the Wizard of Clay.
The 2022 Legacy Award Recipients include, by award category:
COVID PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE, RECOVERY AND RESILIENCE
• Krista Johns, 41 Lakefront Hotel
• Mike Kauffman - Eastview Mall
• Mike FitzGerald - FitzGerald Brothers Transportation/Finger Lakes Winery Tours
• Canandaigua Wine Trail
• Ontario County Office of Economic Development & Ontario County Planning Department
LEGACY AWARD FOR GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND
• Megan Kasperek, Local Palate
SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT
• Nanci and Mike Bentley, Motion Junction
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT & BUSINESS INNOVATION
• Melanie & Drew Wickham, Pick’n Patch
• Dick’s House of Sport
• Stacey & Derek Edinger, Brewery Ardennes
MARKETING EXCELLENCE
• Marisa & Brian Mastrosimone, Lincoln Hills Farm
EXCEPTIONAL PEOPLE - VISITOR SERVICES
• Jennifer Kime, Finger Lakes Welcome Center
PARTNERSHIP & COMMUNITY INSPIRATION AND COLLABORATION
Jamie Noga, Clifton Springs Chamber of Commerce
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
• Karin Bowersock, Bristol Valley Theater
SIGNATURE LEGACY AWARD FOR TOURISM PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
• Denise Chaapel & John Goodwin, Central on Main
SIGNATURE LEGACY AWARD, DESTINATION LEADER
• The Lake House on Canandaigua
Tourism plays a significant economic role in Ontario County and the Finger Lakes, as well as adding to the quality of life for residents. “The Ontario County tourism industry collectively supports more than 4800 full-time jobs and generates $207 million in traveler spending annually,” said Valerie Knoblauch, President of Finger Lakes Visitors Connection. “We are proud to honor the leaders of this great industry with our Legacy Awards program,” she said.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Steven Laros
(585) 394-3916