Education and Events
Awards
Paul Sherlock Award
Sponsored by:
The Paul Sherlock Legend in Ohio Travel Award is the Ohio travel industry’s highest honor, recognizing one individual each year who exemplifies professional, personal and career excellence. Each year, the recipient’s career achievement and tireless efforts toward Ohio travel are recognized during an award presentation at the Ohio Conference on Travel. The 2025 award winner will be announced at the Ohio Conference on Travel on Wednesday evening, Oct. 1.
Nominations will open in July 2025.
How is the Recipient Selected?
Nominees are evaluated based on their ability to meet the following six points of eligibility. A committee formed of the current Ohio Travel Association president, awards and recognition committee chair, and four past Sherlock winners will review nominations and request additional information (including support letters) for the top candidates. Nominees are retained for consideration for two additional years. Those nominating candidates will be contacted prior to the next deadline to see if changes or additions need made.
Eligibility:
- Dedication to advancing travel in Ohio beyond that required by his or her professional position
- Regarded as an exceptional and inspirational role model and/or tourism champion in Ohio
- Outstanding contributions to creating innovation and growth of Ohio travel through development of new approaches, astute practices and creativity
- Commitment to creating widespread support and understanding of the importance of the travel economy
- Proven leadership at local, regional, state or national levels
- History of distinguished service to Ohio's travel industry that spans no less than 10 years
Who was Paul Sherlock?
Paul Sherlock was the first to recognize Ohio’s travel potential. A native of Perry County and a former journalist, Paul Sherlock began work with the Ohio Department of Development in 1945, where he handled travel issues and served as the assistant director for travel and tourism. He was named director in 1972.
He served under Governor James Rhodes on Ohio’s first travel advisory committee, the group that became the Ohio Travel Council and evolved into the Ohio Travel Association. Paul Sherlock was a major factor in the growth of Ohio’s festivals and the creation of the Ohio Festival and Events Association. He considered his work with Ohio’s festival groups to be one of his major accomplishments. Paul was single-minded in his devotion to Ohio and its potential as a travel destination.
Although he was a quiet person who liked best to operate behind the scenes and secure the limelight for others, he was a tireless promoter of Ohio. His knowledge of Ohio’s travel resources was legendary. He was also a mentor who recognized the importance of preparing the industry’s future leaders.
The Paul Sherlock Award was created in 1975 and is awarded annually to honor Paul's excellence in, and devotion to, Ohio's travel community. It is the highest level of recognition for the Ohio travel industry. The men and women who have received this award are respected leaders for their outstanding accomplishments within Ohio's travel industry. These leaders contribute to voluntary travel membership organizations, mentor and encourage new industry professionals, and participate in civic and community affairs. They exemplify the best in the industry by believing in and continually promoting Ohio as a destination.
Paul Sherlock Award Recipients
1975 |
Charles Campbell |
Ohio Festival and Event Association |
1976 |
William M. Piatt, Sr. |
Piatt Castle |
1977 |
Frank Carrell |
Cleveland Convention and Visitors Bureau |
1978 |
Pat Brown |
Roscoe Village Foundation |
1979 |
John A. Baltes |
Sea World of Ohio |
1980 |
Marilane Spencer |
Bixler Tours |
1981 |
Dale Finley |
Cleveland Convention and Visitors Bureau |
1982 |
Rachel Redinger |
Trumpet in the Land |
1983 |
Don Patterson |
Akron/Summit County Convention and Visitors Bureau |
1984 |
Robert S. Hart, Jr. |
Hart Productions, Inc. |
1985 |
Ned Harden |
Circleville Pumpkin Show |
1986 |
Lois E. Smith |
Cincinnati Convention and Visitors Bureau |
1987 |
Corrine "Corky" Gutter |
Akron/Summit County Convention and Visitors Bureau |
1988 |
Peter Robinson |
BB Riverboats |
1989 |
Betty Wasick |
Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens |
1990 |
Sue Ellen Wilson |
Lane Hotels |
1991 |
Darrell Banks |
San-Dar Smorgasbord |
1992 |
Ted Ryan |
WHIO-TV |
1993 |
R.C. "Dick" Bell |
Seneca Caverns |
1994 |
Daniel Hostetler, III |
Medina County Convention and Visitors Bureau |
1995 |
Walter "Timmie" Thimmes |
AAA South Central Ohio |
1996 |
William "Bill" Hash |
America Interstate Tours |
1997 |
David Warther |
Warther Carvings |
1998 |
Joan Van Offeren |
Lake Erie Shores and Islands |
1999 |
Bill Schwartz |
Hospitality Inc. |
2000 |
John Hildebrandt |
Cedar Point |
2001 |
Robert "Chip" Hart, III |
Hart Productions |
2002 |
Pat Cano |
Lorain County Visitors Bureau |
2003 |
Vicky Branson |
Ohio Historical Society |
2004 |
Susan Hamo |
Akron/Summit County Convention and Visitors Bureau |
2005 |
Doniella Winchell |
Ohio Wine Producers |
2006 |
Diane Chesnut |
Lake Erie Firelands Tourist Council |
2007 |
Jonette Haberfield |
A Taste of Ohio |
2008 |
Kari Kauffman |
Experience Columbus |
2009 |
Diana Thompson |
Miami County Convention and Visitors Bureau |
2010 |
Amir Eylon |
Office of TourismOhio |
2011 |
Melinda Huntley |
Ohio State University, Ohio Sea Grant Program |
2012 |
Scott Dring |
Dublin Convention and Visitors Bureau |
2013 |
Pat Crow |
Knox County Convention and Visitors Bureau |
2014 |
Richard Nachazel |
Destination Toledo |
2015 |
Lee Tasseff |
Destination Mansfield |
2016 |
Debbie Robinson |
Cambridge/Guernsey County Visitors & Convention Bureau |
2017 |
Senator Randy Gardner |
Ohio Senate |
2018 |
Larry Fletcher |
Lake Erie Shores & Islands |
2019 |
Gregg Mervis |
Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau |
2021 |
Randie Adam |
Cincinnati USA |
2022 |
Karen Raymore |
Hocking Hills Tourism Association |
2023 |
Jack Hanna |
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium |
2024 |
Lance Woodworth |
Destination Toledo |
Sponsored by:
The RUBY Awards, sponsored by Ohio Magazine, are the Ohio Travel Association's way of honoring those who have found the most innovative ways to market their destination or business. The RUBY Awards will be presented at the 2025 Ohio Conference on Travel at the Geneva Lodge in Ashtabula County on Oct. 2.
Emerging Leader Award
Sponsored by:
How is the Recipient Selected?
The Ohio Travel Industry Emerging Leader Award honors promising travel leaders with fewer than 10 years of professional experience in the industry.
Deserving individuals may self-nominate or be nominated by a colleague. A committee of the current and past OTA presidents review all nominations and select up to two finalists. Finalists are asked to create a short video detailing their accomplishments and vision for the Ohio travel industry. The winning nominee's video is shown at the Ohio Conference on Travel during the award ceremony.
The Ohio Travel Industry Emerging Leader Award is open to all individuals currently working in the Ohio travel industry who meet the eligibility criteria:
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Less than 10 years of professional experience in the travel industry and a minimum of five years in the Ohio travel industry
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Current Ohio Travel Association member
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Demonstrates commitment and passion for the industry
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Completed some type of continuing education (ex: OTLA, CDME, etc.)
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Been recognized for leadership and efforts beyond their job
Nominations will open July 2025.
FAQs
How will the entries be judged?
Entries are judged by a panel of industry veterans representing the last five past-presidents of the Ohio Travel Association and the awards chairman. Entries are judged based on how well the nominee meets the five listed criteria.
Who is eligible to win the award?
Any individual with less than 10 years of professional experience in the travel industry and more than five years of experience in the Ohio travel industry is eligible to enter the Ohio Travel Industry Emerging Leader Award.
Where and when will the event be held?
The winner will receive their Emerging Leader Award at the Ohio Conference on Travel.
How do I increase the nominees chances of winning an award?
Emphasize the individual's innovative approach to advancing the Ohio travel industry as well as his or her accomplishments and goals. Provide as many specific examples of success as possible, and explain clearly and succinctly the goals the nominee has achieved. Competitive nominations are those who have done more than just a good job in their position; they demonstrate their willingness and desire to become involved regionally, statewide and nationally.
When will nominees be accepted?
Nominations will open in July 2025.
Congratulations to the Emerging Leader Winners!
2014 |
Allyson Bussey, Visit Canton/Stark County CVB |
2015 |
Roger Dudley, Experience Columbus |
2016 |
Sara Blatnik, Dublin CVB |
2017 |
Amanda Smith-Rasnick, Lake Erie Shores & Islands |
2018 |
Amanda Davis, Visit Grove City |
2019 |
Elizabeth Connor, National Aviation Heritage Area |
2021 |
Olivia Toth, Knox County Convention and Visitors Bureau |
2022 |
Garrett Martin, Explore Licking County |
2023 |
Tyler Minton, Visit Cincy |
2024 |
Sarah Gleason, Discover Clermont |
