Special to the Daily News

TOUR Southern and Eastern Kentucky (TOUR SEKY) was named Organization of the Year out of 12 states during the Southeast Tourism Society’s (STS) Annual Shining Example Awards Banquet in Virginia Beach, Va., on Nov. 1. TOUR SEKY is the only organization to win the award five times.

“Shining Example Awards highlight some of the best work in travel and tourism, and winners truly set examples that others in the industry can follow,” said STS President and CEO Bill Hardman. “Showcasing great work is important because tourism is the largest, second-largest or third-largest industry in every Southeastern state.” STS presented a total of 15 Shining Example Awards during the ceremony.

“TOUR SEKY just celebrated its 25th anniversary, and this award shows that others in the tourism industry are taking notice of the hard work and accomplishments here in Southern and Eastern Kentucky”, said Jeff Crowe, TOUR President/CEO “TOUR SEKY is Congressman Roger’s Tourism initiative, and without his support, none of this would be possible.”

Founded in 1983, the Southeast Tourism Society is dedicated to the promotion and development of tourism to its member states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. For more information about STS, visit southeasttourism.org.

For more information about TOUR SEKY, contact Jeff Crowe, 606-677-6095 or jcrowe@tourseky.com

TOUR SEKY is an award winning initiative of Congressman Hal Rogers. The organization’s mission is to educate, expand, develop and market the existing and potential tourism industry throughout southern and eastern Kentucky, while contributing to the economic, cultural growth, health and awareness, and overall quality of life of the region. For additional information about TOUR SEKY visit www.tourseky.com, or call 606-677-6093.