Award Winners
Every year, the Annual Awards and Meeting recognizes the people, places and moments making an impact in our region.
Congratulations to our 2024 Award Recipients
Jack Berry Tourism Impact Award presented by Colonial Downs® & Rosie’s Gaming Emporium®
Winner: Jack Berry, President and CEO, Richmond Region Tourism
Chairman's Award presented by Dominion Energy
Winner: Todd “Parney” Parnell, Senior Advisor, Richmond Flying Squirrels
Partner of the Year presented by Richmond Times-Dispatch
Winner: Colonial Downs® & Rosie’s Gaming Emporium®
MVP Sports Award presented by The 288 Group
Winner: Forrest Lodge, Director of Strategic Planning, Sportable
Restaurant of the Year presented by Woodford Reserve
Winner: Liz Kincaid, Owner, RVA Hospitality
Hotel of the Year presented by Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association
Winner: Holiday Inn Express Richmond - Midtown
Event of the Year presented by Kings Dominion & Soak City
Winner: CARMAX Tacky Light Run
Tourism Leadership Award presented by McGuireWoods LLC
Winner: Nicole Neale, Owner, Ms. Niki Tours, LLC
Customer Service Award presented by TowneBank
Winner: Andrew Wilhelm, Operations Officer, Capital Region Airport Commission / Richmond International Airport
2023 Award Winners
Tourism Impact Award presented by Rosie's Gaming Emporium and Colonial Downs
The Tourism Impact Award is the highest honor given each year. The recipient of the 2023 award went to Capital Region Airport Commission and President & Chief Executive Officer, Perry Miller. Under Perry's leadership, this organization continues to enhance options for affordable flights arriving at RIC.
Chairman's Award presented by Dominion Energy
The Chairman's Award is given to a person or organization who has been a significant asset and made the greatest contribution during the previous year. The 2023 Chairman's Award was presented to Mayush Mehta, Regional Vice President, JP Hospitality, who has been a stalwart advocate for RRT’s Tourism Improvement District (TID) initiative, garnering support from hotels across the region (picture of Mayush)
Partner of the Year: Discover Richmond Tours
MVP Sports Award: Aaron Reidmiller, Director, Hanover Parks & Recreation
Restaurant of the Year: Quinto Sol Mexican Grill
Hotel of the Year: Springhill Suites Chester
Event of the Year: Black Pride RVA
Tourism Leadership Award: Brad Jones, Chief Engineer, Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa / Short Pump
Customer Service Award: Pam Novak, Visitor Center Manager, Town of Ashland Visitor Center