By Julie Graham, Director
9 Lakes of East Tennessee

KNOXVILLE, TN – The Middle East Tennessee Tourism Council (METTC) recently presented its inaugural Excellence in Tourism awards. The ceremony was held in conjunction with the East Tennessee Legislative Luncheon that is sponsored annually by METTC, the Greater Knoxville Hospitality Association, and Visit Knoxville. The luncheon is an opportunity for the state and local elected officials of the 16 county region to hear about tourism’s positive economic impact in their respective areas.

Honoring festivals and events, advertising, marketing and public relations projects as well as tourism volunteer and leader of the year, the nominees were judged by a panel of long-time tourism professionals from across the country. Categories were separated by organization budget size.

The winners are: Best Festival or Event (small budget): Tennessee Mountain Laurel Festival held in Wartburg; Best Festival or Event (large budget): Tennessee Medieval Faire held in Harriman; Best Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations (small budget): Morgan County’s MoCo Survival Guide; Best Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations (large budget): Blount County Partnership’s McGhee Tyson Airport Campaign; Tourism Volunteer of the Year: Morgan County Tourism Alliance; Tourism Leader of the Year: Stephanie Wells, Executive Director, Adventure Anderson County. A special Tourism Trailblazer award was presented to the City of Sweetwater for its once-in-a-lifetime Sweetwater Eclipse Festival.

The Middle East Tennessee Tourism Council, branded as 9 Lakes of East Tennessee, represents the counties of Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier, and Union. Julie Graham serves as executive director. Officers are Anne Ross, chair, Morristown Area Chamber; Kim Mitchell, vice-chair, Blount County Partnership; Laney Palmieri, Secretary/Treasurer, Visit Knoxville.