Tourism generates $927 million dollars in Northeast Tennessee each year.
The Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association’s annual Pinnacle Awards program first began in 1997, and pays tribute to the industry’s top performers, projects, and individuals.
Nominations are reviewed by a panel of unbiased judges, and exemplary projects are selected as Pinnacle Awards winners. The winners are announced at an awards luncheon during the summer each year.
The Pinnacle Awards program is a past recipient of the Shining Example Award presented by the Southeast Tourism Society, and the Community Relations Award presented by the former Tennessee Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus.
Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association
The Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association was named the state’s 2019 Destination Marketing Organization of the Year with a mission is to serve as a catalyst to enhance regional economic and community growth through the promotion and development of tourism. The organization was chartered in 1977, is a non-profit tourism promotion and agency that serves and supports Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington counties in Tennessee, as well as portions of Southwest of Virginia.
2025 Pinnacle Award Winners
Attraction of the Year
Copperhead Road Landmark
Tiebreakers
Event of the Year
Johnson City Main Street Days
Fun Fest
Best New Event
Bristol Open 2024 – PPA Tour Event – Bristol Sportsplex
Appalachian League All-Star Game – Visit Johnson City
Best Sports Event
Bike Ride Across Greene County –
Greene County Partnership
MATE ROV World Championships – Visit Kingsport
Roll With It
Storytelling Benefit Concert – McKinney Center
Johnson City Railroad Experience – Visit Johnson City
Best Marketing Campaign
StoryTown Radio Show Rebranding – McKinney Center
Best Marketing Campaign
Explore More in Bristol
Best Public Relations Campaign
Outdoor Writers Association of America – Visit Johnson City
Best Social Media Campaign
The Juice is Loose: Believe in Bristol’s Halloween Campaign
Best Social Media Campaign
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
Best High School Campaign
Work-Based Learning at Sullivan Co. Schools – West Ridge High School
Brochure or Guide
Northeast TN Museum Assoc. Brochure & Map
Jonesborough Visitors Guide
Rack Card
Visit Mountain City, TNCandy Land Christmas – Visit Johnson City
Mailer
Alliance for Continued Learning – ETSU Office of Professional DevelopmentBristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Wristband Mailer
Print Ad
Buffalo Mountain Writers Workshop: Wild Words – – ETSU Office of Professional DevelopmentYou Can Do You – Visit Johnson City
Photography – Lifestyle
Under the Lights by Ashli Linkous
Photography – Landscape
Downtown Kingsport by caseSensitve Photos
Commercial
Birthplace of Country Music Museum 10th Anniversary
Best Virtual Series
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Paste Magazine Sessions
Long Video
Copperhead Road Landmark – Visit Mountain City, TNBristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion 2024 Recap
Short Video
The Jackson TheatreBristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion 2024 “Thank You”
Vendor of the Year
Interstate Graphics – nominated by Visit Johnson City
Partnership of the Year
Jonesborough Tourism Dept. and Highland Cow Farms
Adventure Tourism
SORBA Tri-Cities – nominated by Visit Johnson City
Rising Star
Isabel Hawley-Lopez – nominated by Jonesborough Tourism Dept.
Sustainability Leader
Eastman Global Innovation Summit – nominated by Visit Kingsport
Frontline Employee of the Year
Paul Harris – nominated by Jonesborough Tourism Dept.
Volunteer of the Year
Barbara Mentgen – nominated by Visit Johnson City
Entrepreneur of the Year
Katherine Hackler – nominated by Main Street Greeneville
Hospitality Leader of the Year
Gabe Davis– nominated by Visit Johnson City
Tourism Leader of the Year
Matt Bolas – nominated by Ripl Creative
pinnacleawards.net 