About

Tourism generates $773 billion 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.

2022 Pinnacle Award Winners

Attraction of the Year
50 Years of Bays Mountain Park

Event of the Year
20th Anniversary of Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion

Event of the Year
Fall Fest at Bays Mountain Park

Best New Event
Southern Sanctuaries
Greene County Partnership

Best New Event
Christmas in the Park
Visit Kingsport and City of Kingsport

Best Sports Event
The Show, NAIA Basketball Showcase
Visit Kingsport

Best Virtual Event
Kingsport Songwriters Week
Visit Kingsport

Best Virtual Event
Masterpiece Reveal
McKinney Center

Best Virtual Series
Science Saturdays
Hands On! Discovery Center

Roll With It
Wing Fling Week
Visit Kingsport

Roll With It
McKinney Center Market Series

Best Marketing Campaign
Historic Jonesborough

Best Public Relations Campaign
Candyland Christmas
Visit Johnson City

Best Public Relations Campaign
I Dig Greeneville!
Greene County Partnership

Brochure or Guide
101+ Things to Do (Fall/Winter)
Six Rivers Media

Brochure or Guide
Johnson City Outdoor Guide
Visit Johnson City

Rack Card
Wild-A-Bout Walk-A-Bout Scavenger Hunt
Connect Downtown Johnson City

Print Ad
Downtown to Mountains
Visit Johnson City

Commercial
Racks by the Tracks
Visit Kingsport

Long Video
StoryTown Season Reveal
McKinney Center

Long Video
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion: Celebrating 20 Years in 2021

Short Video
It’s A Candy Cane Christmas in Bristol
Explore Bristol

Short Video
Remote Work
Visit Johnson City

Social Media Campaign
It’s a Candy Cane Christmas in Bristol
Explore Bristol

Social Media Campaign
Wing Fling Week
Visit Kingsport

Agency of the Year
Victory Lap Media
Nominated by Birthplace of Country Music

Vendor of the Year
The Goose Chase
Nominated by Visit Johnson City

Partner of the Year
Heritage Alliance
Nominated by Jonesborough Tourism Dept.

Adventure Tourism
USA Raft Adventure Resort

Adventure Tourism Leader of the Year
Connie Deegan
Nominated by Visit Johnson City

Rising Star
Keith Maultbay
Nominated by Hands On! Discovery Center

Frontline Employee of the Year
Wayne Horton
Nominated by General Morgan Inn

Volunteers of the Year
Brenda and David Fox
Nominated by City of Kingsport

Hospitality Leader of the Year
Jeff Fleming
Nominated by Visit Kingsport

Lifetime Achievement
Leah Ross
Nominated by Birthplace of Country Music