Columbia County tourist development office wins HSMAI Adrian Award for a second straight year

Clint, identified during the meeting as the county's tourist development director, told the Board of County Commissioners on March 6 that Columbia County and its marketing partner, Paradise, earned an HSMAI Adrian Award for marketing and sales for the second consecutive year. "We did receive, an Adrian award this year again," Clint said, calling the recognition "very prestigious" for a small rural county.

Clint described the competition as large and international: the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Adrian Award, he said, drew more than 800 entries and was judged by more than 30 judges. He credited the TDC staff and Paradise, the county's marketing firm, for the work that produced the campaign.

Barbara, speaking as a representative of Paradise, said the firm represents multiple counties and that Paradise clients won nine Adrians this year. "Year 1, you won last year for the brand, the rebrand. This year, you won for the campaign that launched the brand," Barbara said, calling back-to-back wins for a destination Columbia County's size "very unheard of."

Clint noted local assets the marketing promotes, including "over 350 miles of rivers, 1,500 miles of trails ... over 300 documented natural springs," and said the marketing helps drive lodging stays that fund tourism work through bed tax revenue. The commission praised the staff and Paradise for the recognition and said the award will be shared at the next Tourist Development Council meeting.

Ending: County leaders said the award underscores the county's marketing reach and that a video used in the awarded campaign will be circulated at the TDC meeting for commissioners to view.