Destination Stark County Month, May 2008

The Canton · Stark County Convention & Visitors' Bureau and Destination Stark County Committee are excited to announce the following events for Destination Stark County Month, May 2008.

Best of Stark County Awards

Who is the "Best of Stark County"? Voting for the 2nd Annual Best of Stark County Awards begins April 1st and runs through April 30th. Cast your vote for your favorites and them in the "spotlight"! As an incentive for the community to cast their vote the CVB will again be offering a grand prize drawing. This year a $200 gas card will be awarded randomly to one lucky voter! Limit 1 vote per email address. Votes are valid only for Stark County venues.

2008 Best of Stark County Awards Categories Include...

Best place to spend the day with your family
Best public golf course
Best place to take out of town guests
Best arts/cultural/live entertainment
Best special community event or festival
Best restaurant
Best museum
Best outdoor recreation site or park
Most recommended accommodation facility (hotel, bed & breakfast or campground)
Best place to shop
Most unique shop
Best place to host a meeting or corporate function
Stark County's best kept secret (What venue do you love that people may not know about)

How You Can Help Spread the Word

Include a link to www.BestofStark.com on your website and in your next newsletter or email communications with your customers and encourage them to vote.
Call Rosie or Kathy at (330) 458-2082 to request a Best of Stark County poster to display in your venue.
Forward the emails we will begin sending to the general public on March 31st to your friends and family.
If your customers do not have access to the Internet encourage them to visit their local branch of the Stark County District Library to vote.

2008 Award Winners Will Recieve...

Special recognition and a plaque at the Destination Stark County Month Annual Tourism Luncheon on Friday, May 16th at the McKinley Grand Hotel.
Media coverage in The Repository and on Mix 94.1 and WHBC 1480.
Special placement on www.CantonStarkCVB.com and in the 2009 Official Visitors' Guide.
Recognition in an email blast sent to all industry partners, email newsletter subscribers, and everyone who voted.
Inclusion in an article in the CVBuzz.
Permission to use the Voted "Best" in Stark County 2008 logo in their promotional materials.

The Best of Stark County Awards are supported by these generous community partners: Mix 84.1, News Talk 1480 WHBC, and The Canton Repository.

Cast your vote now!

Outstanding Employee(s) Award

Nominate Your "Star" Employee or EVEN Team of Employees That Go Above and Beyond in the Tourism Industry!

Any non-management employee(s) in a tourism related venue that has direct contact with the visitor is eligible.
Some positions to consider for nomination are front desk, maintenance, housekeeping, ticket agent, host(ess), server, cashier, etc.
The winners will be chosen by the staff of the Canton Stark County CVB based on three outstanding attributes and a 100-word testimonial that reflects the reason why management feels their nominee(s) are the best in the Stark County tourism industry.
Companies are encouraged to nominate as many employees or teams of employees that they feel are outstanding. if you would like to nominate a team of employees, the employee set must come from the same grouping, i.e. front desk staff.
Nominations must be submitted NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 2008.

The Outstanding Employee Award Winner Will Receive:

A certificate presented to them at the Destination Stark County Annual Tourism Luncheon.
Complimentary admission to the Tourism Luncheon.
A gift bag filled with an array of gifts from Canton Stark County.
The opportunity to ride with "Pigskin", the CVB's mascot, in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Timken Grand Parade.
An article in CVBuzz.

Nominate your star employee(s) now!

Backyard Bus Tour

The Backyard Bus Tour will travel to Canton and Eastern Stark County on Monday, May 12th. The purpose of the tour is to educate local residents on all there is to see and do in Stark County so they can share this with their visiting friends and relatives. Community residents will have the opportunity to visit the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Studio Arts & Glass, The Granite Grill, and a few mystery stops in Eastern Stark County! The tour is very popular and is again sold out with a waiting list.

Destination Stark County Month Annual Tourism Luncheon

The Destination Stark County Annual Tourism Luncheon will be held Friday, May 16th at the McKinley Grand Hotel. Come and celebrate tourism! Take the time to be recognized for the outstanding job you do each year in the Travel & Tourism industry and also be the first to hear the announcement of the "Best of Stark County" Awards and the Outstanding Employee Award. Just think your venue and employee(s) could be in the spotlight!!!!!

Whether you come on your own or bring your staff you will not want to miss this great opportunity to celebrate Stark County as well as network with some FABULOUS partners! Show your support of the industry and make your reservations today!!!

Luncheon Schedule:

11:30 Registration

12:30 Speaker - Betsy Kling - WKYC Channel 3 News

1:00 Awards Presentation - Are you the "Best of Stark County?"

Cost: $15.00 per person or $80 for a table of eight!

Make your reservation today with Rosie Kurtz or Kathy Gray at (330) 458-2082

AAA Sales Blitz - May 6th, 2008

The CVB along with four Stark County tourism industry partners will travel to the Pittsburgh area to do sales calls and drop off promotional materials at AAA offices encouraging Pittsburgh area residents to explore all there is to see and do in Stark County this summer.