LEXINGTON, KY -- VisitLEX has made a significant impact on the travel industry by earning top honors at the Kentucky Travel Industry Association's Traverse Awards. The organization, representing more than 900 members across the Commonwealth, recognized VisitLEX with 17 awards for its innovative marketing and public relations 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. Partnering with the city's 250Lex Commission, 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."
VisitLEX Traverse 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
A panel of unbiased and impartial marketing, public relations, and tourism professionals whose work is conducted outside of Kentucky judged the entries.
