CARLISLE, PA (November 16, 2012) - The Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau (CVVB) announced the winners for the 2013 Best of the Valley, Partner of the Year and Volunteer of the Year at the annual Cumberland Valley Tourism Conference on November 14, 2012 at Liberty Forge in Mechanicsburg.
The Tourism Conference is held annually to update area businesses and organizations about the CVVB's previous year highlights, plans for the future and the economic impacts of tourism. The CVVB also acknowledged Summer 2012 grant recipients and keynote speaker, Deb Bowman from the Pennsylvania State Tourism Office, discussed the State of PA tourism and the plan to organize a public-private partnership.
The CVVB has been collecting votes throughout the year for the best spot to eat, shop, sleep and play in Cumberland Valley. Voters were encouraged to submit their votes online at the newly launched www.visitcumberlandvalley.com.
2013 Best of the Valley Winners:
Best Restaurant (Eat) - Mount Fuji: "The sushi there is so good and their service is always fast!" - Kim, Carlisle, PA
Best Shop (Shop) - The Village Artisans Gallery: "The Village Artisans Gallery always has the most wonderful variety of handmade items, all so beautifully displayed in that lovely old church. It is always a treat to visit." - Barb, Chambersburg, PA
Best Attraction (Play) - Allenberry Playhouse: "What a gem in central Pennsylvania. I travel a lot for business, and any time I'm close, I'm off to see what the Allenberry Playhouse has to offer me this trip." - Joseph, Huntsville, AL
Best Lodging (Sleep) - Pheasant Field B&B: "The owners, Dee and Chuck, do a fantastic job of making Pheasant Field B&B a home away from home! The beautiful buildings and décor, the great breakfasts, being pet friendly and handicap accessible...what else can you ask for!" - Tom, Temple NH
The 2013 winners will receive recognition as a "Best of the Valley" winner in the 2013/2014 Cumberland Valley Visitors Guide, on the visitcumberlandvalley.com website and clings to display at their establishment.
The 2013 winners will also receive a few bonus prizes. These include recognition in the December issue of First Choice Magazine, recognition in December on the Route 11 (Carlisle Pike) billboard and Hartzdale Drive billboard in Camp Hill, and will be part of the Winter 2012 Win a Getaway. This special getaway will include Best of the Valley winners from 2011-2013 and be offered as a prize package one lucky visitor or resident can win.
The CVVB will continue the Best of the Valley campaign in 2013 and voting has already begun. The CVVB encourages businesses to seek votes from their customers and friends on www.visitcumberlandvalley.com.
Partner of the Year:
The CVVB also announced the staff-chosen Partner of the Year Award at the Tourism Conference. The staff chose PJ Heyman from the Village Artisans Gallery as she has been an irreplaceable asset to the CVVB. She shares her passion for Boiling Springs and the arts community to support economic development and tourism growth in Cumberland Valley. The CVVB staff awarded PJ with a handcrafted bracelet made by Melissa Colucci from Colucci & Company in Carlisle.
Volunteer of the Year:
The CVVB also awarded Volunteer of the Year to Chuck Bassett. He volunteers at the Cumberland Valley Visitors Center in downtown Carlisle and is responsible for over 20% of all the hours clocked at the Visitors Center in 2012.
