Bicentennial Event

And 'Rediscover

Greeneville' Plan

Receive Honors

By NELSON MORAIS

Staff Writer

The Andrew Johnson Bicentennial Celebration and the proposed ambitious downtown development project, Rediscover Greeneville, were honored Wednesday with two awards by their peers in the tourism and marketing industry.

The 2008 Pinnacle Awards winners were selected by tourism and marketing professionals who live outside the region.

The annual Pinnacle Awards are a project of the Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association (NETTA), which represents tourism organizations in eight counties in Northeast Tennessee, including Greene County.

Thirty-nine tourism or marketing organizations had entered the competition. In all, 16 awards were presented at Wednesday's ceremony.

Lizzie Watts, superintendent of the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site, accepted a Heritage Tourism Division award in the public relations category of the 2008 Pinnacle Awards for the Andrew Johnson Bicentennial Celebration.

Bob Cantler, general manager of the General Morgan Inn, accepted a Merit Award in the Business Division of the Special Projects category for Rediscover Greeneville, on behalf of Morgan Inn Corp.

A third entrant in the public relations category, the International Housekeepers Week Celebration, which was submitted by the Greene County Partnership's tourism department, did not win a Pinnacle award this year.

About 170 tourism industry professionals attended the awards luncheon hosted by NETTA at the MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort and Convention Center in Kingsport.

Theme: 'Timeless Treasure'

NETTA's theme this year for the 11th annual Pinnacle Awards was "timeless treasure."

Lights in the large hall were dimmed during the luncheon part of the presentation, giving the event a hushed elegance. The awards presentation followed the luncheon.

Pinnacle Awards were presented in five general categories; Advertising & Promotions, one for Print and one for Multi-Media; Special Events (such as festivals, tournaments, concerts, reenactments); Public Relations (including community awareness campaigns); and Special Projects (including exhibits, photography, educational programs, trade shows).

The objective of the Pinnacle Awards is "to pay tribute to individuals, groups, businesses and organizations that significantly contribute" to the economy of Tennessee's northeast region and Southwest Virginia region "through tourism promotion and development."

All entries had to have been produced and published last year.

The Andrew Johnson Bicentennial Celebration was one of six nominees in the Public Relations category.

Rediscover Greeneville was one of 10 nominees in the Special Projects category.

Tourism Commissioner

Susan Whitaker, Tennessee's commissioner of tourism development, spoke after the awards were presented.

"This particular part of the state has world-quality beauty. We need to take care of it," Whitaker said. She noted this region also attracts tourists because of its musical heritage and history.

"Marketing from local committees is what drives people here," she said.

Recognizing the recent economic downturn, Whitaker said, "It's not going to be easy (for tourism groups) in the coming year. We (all) need to be smart in how we spend our dollars."

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies was the title sponsor for the 2008 Pinnacle Awards.