The Ross-Chillicothe Convention & Visitors Bureau is accepting applications for the annual Pineapple Awards through April 15th.
The Awards recognize “the best of the best” in Ross County tourism and hospitality with four categories: Volunteer of the Year, Behind the Scenes Associate of the Year, Front Line Associate of the Year, and Director / Inn Keeper of the Year.
Additionally, the Grant Assistance Program is still accepting applications. It funds organizations, attractions, and events in the Chillicothe and Ross County area for promotion of an upcoming event or program.
The official releases are below.
TOURISM BANQUET & PINEAPPLE AWARDS
CHILLICOTHE, OH – The Ross-Chillicothe Convention & Visitors Bureau is excited to share that its annual Tourism Banquet & Pineapple Awards will take place in 2022. This event brings together members of Ross County tourism to celebrate the start of National Travel & Tourism Week by celebrating past achievements and serving as a kick-off event for the upcoming tourism season.
As part of the banquet, Pineapple Awards are given to recognize some of “the best of the best” in local hospitality. Awards are given in the categories of “Volunteer of the Year,” “Front Line Associate of the Year,” “Behind the Scenes Associate of the Year,” and “Director/Inn Keeper of the Year.” Additionally, the Bureau bestows the honor of its Grand Pineapple Award to a group or individual that collaborates with the Bureau and demonstrates a strong commitment to increasing awareness and the success of tourism in Ross County.
The Bureau selected the pineapple to represent its awards due to its universal symbolism of hospitality. The pineapple received its meaning in the days of the early American colonies where, upon return from seas, captains would spear a pineapple and display it on a fence post outside his home to let friends know of his safe return and as an invitation for them to visit.
Nominations into the Pineapple Awards are now open and nomination forms can be downloaded from the Bureau’s website under the “About” tab and navigating to the “Tourism Banquet” section. All nominations will need to be received by the Bureau no later than April 15, 2022 to be considered.
The mission of the Ross-Chillicothe Convention and Visitors Bureau is the growth and prosperity of area economic development through tourism. The Bureau’s primary focus is to assist, attract and educate residents, travelers, and partners. It will function as an economic driver of the hospitality industry in general through promotion of extended or overnight visits to the areas of Chillicothe and Ross County, Ohio. 230 N. Plaza Blvd. • Chillicothe, Ohio 45601 800-413-4118 • 740-702-7677 (ROSS)
GRANT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (GAP) ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
CHILLICOTHE, OH – The Ross-Chillicothe Convention & Visitors Bureau would like to announce that it is accepting applications for its annual Grant Assistance Program (GAP). The purpose of this program is to provide GAP funding to organizations, attractions, and events in the Chillicothe and Ross County area for promotion of an upcoming event or program. Through this program, the Bureau can participate in the community by aiding eligible candidates and to provide an avenue for the organizers of events to promote their activity. The goal of this program is to increase overnight stays in Ross County, promote a positive image, and increase visibility of Ross County’s attractions to generate awareness and additional tourism visitation.
This program is open to both non-profit and profit organizations with the emphasis on increasing tourism. Funding may be used for marketing / advertising expenses, qualifying entertainment fees, and printing or distribution of brochures that reach beyond a 100-mile radius of Chillicothe and Ross County. Applications must be submitted by April 15, 2022 to be considered in this year’s program. Additionally, the Bureau has maintained the program’s budget and has allotted $20,000 to be awarded through the Grant Assistance Program.
Organizations that are interested in applying for the GAP funding can obtain a copy of the application through the Bureau’s website or office. To download a copy of the application visit www.VisitChillicotheOhio.com and click on the “Resources” tab. Completed applications can be scanned and submitted via email to melody@visitchillicotheohio.com, mailed to or dropped off at the Bureau’s office located at 230 N. Plaza Blvd during regular business hours.