ALACHUA COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – The digital age is affecting everything from how you get your news to how you find your brews.
The Alachua County Visitors and Convention Bureau (ACVCB) was recently awarded the “Henry Award” in the category of Niche Marketing at the 2024 Florida Governor’s Conference on Tourism’s Visit Florida Flagler Awards ceremony.
The ACVCB was recognized for its “Sippin’ Seven Alachua County Ale Trail,” which is a digital passport campaign aimed at promoting a major tourism feature and enhancing the county’s status as a leading spot for craft breweries.
“This award reflects the collective efforts of our team and the support of our Tourist Development Council in boosting the local economy through increased visitor spending while highlighting all that Alachua County has to offer,” says Tourism Development Director Jessica Hurov.
The Flagler Awards, named after Henry Flagler, celebrate exceptional tourism marketing in Florida. They acknowledge the efforts of individuals and organizations that contribute to keeping Florida as one of the top travel spots in the world. A group of judges reviewed and rated almost 260 submissions across 18 categories. The entry with the highest score in each category is awarded the prestigious Henry Award.
“The Sippin’ Seven Alachua County Ale Trail digital passport campaign is a testament to the excellence of our area businesses and to the strong collaborative effort forged during the campaign between the VCB and our county’s award-winning craft breweries,” states Liz Reyes, Alachua County’s tourism development manager and campaign manager.
Alachua County shares that the “Sippin’ Seven Alachua County Ale Trail” digital passport campaign attracted 15,600 recorded visits to craft breweries in the county. People who held the passes came from 18 different states and Canada, with more than half of them being from outside Alachua County.
“It is an honor to have Florida’s tourism industry leaders recognize the Alachua County Visitors and Convention Bureau’s efforts,” says Alachua County Commissioner and Chair of the Tourist Development Council Marihelen Wheeler. “I am so proud of Jessica, her talented staff, and all of our tourism partners for earning this prestigious recognition and for their creative celebration of local culture through their effective initiatives.”