Destination Seneca County received statewide recognition in five different categories at the Ohio Travel Association’s Ohio Conference on Travel, held on October 3, 2024, at the Renaissance in Downtown Toledo, Ohio.
Destination Seneca County earned three RUBY Awards for the categories of Event Campaign for Seneca County Solar Eclipse of the Heart, Annual Report for their 2023 Year in Review, and Targeted Marketing Campaign for Elope at the Eclipse.
Bryce Riggs and Marisa Huss accepted the awards on behalf of Destination Seneca County. This marks the third consecutive year the organization has been recognized at the state level for their contributions to Ohio’s tourism industry, having received seven RUBY Awards and four Citations of Excellence over the past three years.
The Seneca County Solar Eclipse of the Heart campaign positioned Seneca County as a prime destination for the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse. Recognizing the competition among communities along the path of totality, Destination Seneca County developed a unique, multifaceted campaign to stand out and attract visitors. This comprehensive effort created a weekend-long experience, featuring events like the Out of the Dark Glow 5K and Elope at the Eclipse, which allowed both community members and businesses to engage fully and benefit from the influx of visitors.
As part of the Targeted Marketing Campaign, the Elope at the Eclipse event offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for couples to marry or renew their vows under the solar eclipse. The campaign resulted in 150 registered couples from 11 different states, with 130 participating on the day of the event. It also garnered over 100 media mentions, including features in The New York Times and NBC Nightly News, significantly boosting the county’s visibility.
Destination Seneca County’s first-ever annual report provided transparency in tourism by highlighting the organization’s accomplishments and the positive impact of tourism on the local community. The report detailed key metrics, such as the growth of the bed tax, successful events, and other achievements. Shared with over 100 stakeholders, the report played a vital role in both celebrating past successes and shaping future strategies.
Additionally, Destination Seneca County received two second-place finishes, Citations of Excellence, for their blog and for Spirit of Community for the Out of the Dark Glow 5K & Fun event.
In this year’s competition, the Recognizing Uncommon Brilliance Yearly (RUBY) Awards had over 220 entries, showcasing the high level of competition. The Ohio Travel Association’s RUBY Awards recognize excellence in Ohio’s hospitality and tourism industry, with categories focusing on advertising, marketing, and public relations. Sponsored by Ohio Magazine, the awards were presented during the Ohio Conference on Travel, the state’s largest gathering of tourism professionals.
