Regional Tourism Awards Winners Announced

The Shining Example Awards Program, a tourism industry fixture since 1985, highlights some of the best work in travel and tourism in the Southeast and is presented by the Southeast Tourism Society. Southeast Tourism Society is comprised of 14 regions including Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Cumming, Ga. Mayor Troy Brumbalow was recognized as First Runner-Up for the Governmental Tourism Leadership Award. Brumbalow was a stand-out in this category for his development of the Cumming City Center, which will serve as a tourism asset to those visiting the community; his oversight of revisions and additions to City ordinances, creating community partnerships, and his work bringing in several new community events and celebrations. He has also been a supporter of the Discover Forsyth County tourism development initiative.

Brumbalow participated in a panel discussion in support of local tourism for National Travel and Tourism Week and encouraged the community to follow suit in supporting Discover FoCo’s tourism efforts.

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Halcyon was recognized as First Runner-Up for the Escape to the Southeast – Travel Attraction of the Year. Halcyon has had a positive impact on Forsyth County’s tourism industry with its chef-driven restaurants, curated shops, creative events, craft beverage experiences, and “Instagram-able” appeal which averages over 11,000 visitors on event days. In spring 2023, Halcyon will also be home to the new Embassy Suites Hotel which will bring an additional 160 hotel rooms and over 8,500 square feet of meeting space to the county’s tourism arsenal.