Southern Delaware Tourism seeks nominees for annual recognition award

Featuring five-star beaches, an abundance of natural beauty and scores of historic sites throughout its expansive boundaries, it’s no wonder why tourism plays such a vital component to the economic well-being of Sussex County.

Recognizing the importance of the industry to the vitality of Delaware’s southernmost county, the Southern Delaware Tourism office is again inviting area residents to nominate groups or individuals they feel have contributed significantly to promoting visitation to Sussex County.

Nominations will be reviewed by an impartial panel of judges, with the winner of the 2013 Southern Delaware Tourism Recognition Award announced in December.

“Tourism is a huge economic engine for Sussex County,” says Scott Thomas, executive director of Southern Delaware Tourism. “This is our small way of honoring a person or organization that has gone above and beyond to contribute to the tourism industry in our area. We encourage everyone to consider who they think may be worthy recipients of this award and to nominate them.”

Nominees must work in Sussex County and have contributed to the local tourism industry. Nomination forms must be completed and submitted to Southern Delaware Tourism by Friday Nov. 8, to be considered.

Nominations will be based on the following criteria:

• Visitation draw
• Contribution to a unique event, or making an attraction unique
• Promotion

• Helping place Sussex County on the map

Past recipients of the annual award include the Apple-Scrapple Festival, Dogfish Head brewery tours, the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival, the Lewes Maritime History Trail and the Ocean to Bay Bike Tour. Last year’s recipient was Nassau Valley Vineyards.

“There are so many people doing good things in Sussex County, and we want to hear why you think they are deserving of this recognition,” says Thomas.

Nomination forms for the 2013 Southern Delaware Tourism Recognition Award can be obtained at www.VisitSouthernDelaware.com, or by calling 302-856-1818.