The Loudoun Convention & Visitors Association (LCVA) announced today that it is accepting nominations for the 2008 LCVA Annual Tourism Awards.

The LCVA Tourism Awards Program showcases the work, service, creativity, and contributions of individuals and organizations as it relates to tourism promotion in Loudoun County. All award entries must be for individuals, organizations, or programs, and recognize accomplishments for activities or events that occurred or were completed during 2008.

"Tourism in Loudoun County is an important sector of the business community including large and small businesses, not-for-profits, and significant volunteer efforts; the LCVA Tourism Awards Program allows us to honor people and organizations who have contributed to its growth and success," said LCVA President and CEO, Cheryl Kilday.

Nominations for the following award categories will be reviewed by the LCVA Tourism Awards Committee in February 2009:

Employee of the Year
Volunteer of the Year
Tourism Event of the Year with attendance over 3000
Tourism Event of the Year with attendance up to 3000
Tourism Promotion/Campaign of the Year
Humanitarian Award
Judy Patterson Tourism Award

For the first time this year the Tourism Event of the Year will be divided up into two categories: events with under 3,000 people in attendance and events with over 3,000 people in attendance. Events that took place in Loudoun range in size from large annual fairs and festivals to smaller first time events such as meetings or sports tournaments, and those nominated for Tourism Event of the Year are normally all placed into one category for the tourism awards nomination process.

"The new sub-categories will enable the smaller events to be competitive in an appropriate field," said Kilday.

The 2008 LCVA Tourism Awards will be presented at the LCVA's Annual Meeting and Tourism Awards Luncheon on March 31, 2009.

Entry forms and judging criteria may be accessed online at www.VisitLoudoun.org/lcva/industryrecognition. Entries must be received at the LCVA Office at 222 Catoctin Circle, SE, Leesburg, VA 20175 by Tuesday, February 10, 2009.

For further information or questions, please contact Greg Harp, LCVA Director of Program Operations at 703-771-2170 ext. 14, or by email at harp@VisitLoudoun.org.