Leo Scherer, Washington Airport Task Force and The Waterford Foundation took the top Tourism Awards as Winner of The Judy Patterson Tourism Awards for 2003 and 2004.

The Loudoun Convention and Visitors Association compiled their list of 2003-2004 Tourism Award nominees and planned to announce the winners in five categories at their 9th Annual Meeting on February 24th but snow and inclement weather forced the Association to postpone announcement of the winners until March 14th.

Nominations were accepted through January 7 and the LCVA made every effort to seek out individuals, businesses, organizations and events that helped promote tourism in Loudoun County.

"There was also an outreach effort made by the LCVA Annual Meeting and Awards Committee to contact organizations and encourage them to enter their tourism initiatives or those of someone with whom they work," said Cheryl Kilday, LCVA President and CEO.

According to the LCVA official web site, "The LCVA Tourism Awards Program showcases the work, service, creativity and contributions of individuals and organizations as it relates to tourism promotion. It acknowledges key individuals and programs that deserve recognition and thanks for their valuable contribution and success."

Nominations were divided into five categories: volunteer of the year, employee of the year, event of the year, tourism promotion/campaign of the year and the Judy Patterson Tourism Award.

For the most part, the first four categories are self-explanatory and are designed to recognize the people, events and programs that made a positive difference in the tourism industry in Loudoun County in the previous year. The fifth award, however, is considered to be the most prestigious one given by the LCVA. It is named after a founding member of the LCVA – "a creative, innovative, tourism professional with a passion for Loudoun County, its towns, historic sites, and tourism opportunities," according to the LCVA web page.

The criteria for this award includes making a significant economic impact on the tourism industry, multiple years of contributing to the benefit of the tourism industry as well as passion, enthusiasm, drive, momentum, and team-building skills.

"Tourism is important to our community, economically - visitors pay taxes that keep our own tax bills lower," said Kilday. "Tourism also improves the quality of life for those of us who live and work here. Recognition of the individuals who make a difference is valuable and inspires us all to do more and work toward excellence."

Kilday emphasized that tourists visiting Loudoun County spend, on average, about $511 per household in local taxes.

"Tourism is good business," said Kilday, "and service, quality events, and promotions are all part of what make up an effective tourism program."

In previous years, said Kilday, Middleburg has had several nominees and been awarded recognition in various areas of tourism excellence. In 1999 Middleburg Bucks was awarded the title of Tourism Promotion/Campaign of the Year.

According to Kilday, the LCVA did not have an awards banquet last year, so this year's meeting will recognize nominees for 2003 and 2004. Some of these nominees are our neighbors and friends and the events that they have cultivated in our community and deserve our recognition and thanks as well.

Local LCVA Tourism Award nominees include Marvin Simms, Jr. of the Town of Middleburg for Employee of the Year and Dee Dee Hubbard of the Middleburg Eccentric for the Judy Patterson Tourism Award.

Local events and campaigns that have been nominated for the 2003-2004 recognition period are Christmas in Middleburg and Middleburg Kennel Club All-Breed Dog Show for Event of the Year and Tuesdays in Middleburg for the Tourism Promotion/Campaign of the Year.

"The LCVA Annual Meeting and Awards Program is an excellent opportunity to celebrate tourism, its benefits, and those who contribute to its economic rewards," said Kilday, "All the nominees are winners and they all deserve recognition."

The LCVA is located in Leesburg and can be reached at 703-771-2170 or by visiting www.visitloudoun.org.