VisitLEX’s recent travel programming and strategies have earned the organization top honors at the Kentucky Travel Industry Association’s Traverse Awards.
The Kentucky Travel Industry Association, which represents more than 900 members across the Commonwealth, presented VisitLEX with 17 awards for its innovative marketing and public relations campaigns.
Integrated Travel Campaigns
The KTIA Traverse Awards honor the talent, creativity and effectiveness of its members’ marketing and public relations efforts.
The “C’mon” 250LEX Campaign earned a Gold Award for its effective strategy in driving travel to Lexington during the city’s 250th anniversary in June 2025.
VisitLEX launched this integrated campaign to encourage residents to invite friends and family home for the “Come Home Month” celebrations when events and activities were in full swing.
The campaign successfully generated 13.7 million impressions and reach across digital, print, broadcast and social media, and it provided more than 350 Host Packages to locals.
This effort contributed to significant attention for Lexington and earned the No. 1 spot on Travel + Leisure’s “Top 20 Places to Travel in June 2025.”
The “Bittersweet Views” campaign also earned a Gold Award for its effective strategy to extend visitors length of stay.
Results indicated increased length of stay during the campaign run dates, and one visitor even rebooked their flight to stay a few more days after seeing the campaign at Blue Grass Airport
“We view these awards not just as honors, but as proof of our team’s dedication to excellence,” said Mary Quinn Ramer, President of VisitLEX. “The VisitLEX team works tirelessly to position Lexington as a premier destination, and the success recognized by these awards is the direct, visible result of that collective hard work.”
Additional Awards
Gold
- Marketing Campaign: “Bittersweet Views” Spring Campaign
- Marketing Campaign: “C’mon” 250LEX Campaign
Silver
- Destination Management: Destination LEXpert Program
- Destination Management: LEX for Good Sensory Signal Maps
- Destination Management: Meetings Accessibility Resources
- Digital: “Lexington Shoes” Social Video
- PR Initiative: Hank the Horse MPI/WEC Activation
- Specialty Item: Lex for Good Sensory Coloring Books and Kits
- Specialty Item: VisitLEX Holobox Experience at the Lexington Visitors Center
- Video or Podcast: LEX Locals Episodic Content Series
Bronze
- Destination Management: SustainabLEX Certification Program
- Digital: “Best Kept Secrets” Content Series
- Marketing Campaign: “Give a Little LEX” Visitors Center Holiday Campaign
- Out-of-Home: Cleveland ASAE Out of Home Activation
- Specialty Item: VisitLEX x Keeneland Merchandise Collaboration
- Specialty Item: Cats of the Bluegrass Coloring Book
- Website: FilmLEX Website and Production Directory
