Awards

Paul Sherlock Award


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Lance Paul Sherlock


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 1
Paul Sherlock 4

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

 

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2022 RUBY Award Winners

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.


Overview
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Most Current Winners

Emerging Leader Award


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Sarah 2024 emerging leader


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:
  • Less than 10 years of professional experience in the travel industry and a minimum of five years in the Ohio travel industry
  • Current Ohio Travel Association member
  • Demonstrates commitment and passion for the industry
  • Completed some type of continuing education (ex: OTLA, CDME, etc.)
  • Been recognized for leadership and efforts beyond their job

Nominations will open July 2025.

Emerging Leader 1


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


Questions? Contact:


Ohio Travel Association
Melinda Huntley, Executive Director
mhuntley@ohiotravel.org