FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Visit Hickory Recognized with Two Prestigious Tourism & Meetings Industry Awards
Hickory, NC – [December 30, 2024] – Visit Hickory is proud to announce that it has been honored with two distinguished awards in the travel, meetings, and hospitality industry, solidifying its position as a premier destination for meetings & conventions and a leader in innovative tourism marketing.
The organization received the Gold Award in Group Visitor Marketing focusing on Sports Tourism from the North Carolina Travel Industry Association (NCTIA) for its outstanding achievements in effectively marketing the Hickory Metro Convention 
Center as a newly opened, renovated, and premier destination for sports tournaments. This award highlights Visit Hickory’s commitment to showcasing the region's unique charm, cultural vibrancy, and hospitality and a new 35,000-square-foot multi-purpose sports facility that recently opened. The award highlights the efforts of a successful year-long digital campaign promoting the versatility of the latest sports complex, receiving over 185,000 impressions across multiple social media platforms.
Additionally, Visit Hickory was recognized with the Best Booth Overall Award by the Association Executives of North Carolina (AENC), acknowledging excellence in the overall booth design and atmosphere and highlighting the unique interactive nature of the booth during the 2024 AENC Annual Trade Show. This accolade underscores the team’s dedication to creating memorable experiences for meetings, events, and tournaments both at the Hickory Metro Convention Center and within the community.
“It has been a fantastic 2024 for the Hickory Metro Convention Center and Visitors Bureau team. The Hickory Metro Convention Center was under construction most of the year; the convention center space stayed booked during construction, the official ribbon of the addition and renovation was cut in November, and the team received two prestigious awards in December. These awards are a testament to our team's hard work and creativity and our incredible partnerships within the Hickory community,” said Mandy Hildebrand, CEO of Visit Hickory. “We are thrilled to see our efforts recognized on such a prestigious level, and we remain committed to inspiring more people to discover the many treasures of Hickory.”
Over the past year, Visit Hickory has implemented several key initiatives that have driven its success, including increasing sports marketing initiatives to focus on sports tourism and increasing awareness of the positive benefits of the hospitality and tourism industry in the Hickory region. These efforts have elevated the city’s profile as a travel destination and fostered meaningful connections with residents and visitors alike.
To learn more about Visit Hickory’s award-winning programs and discover what makes Hickory a must-visit destination, please visit www.visithickorymetro.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @visithickorync.
About Visit Hickory: Visit Hickory is the official destination marketing organization for Hickory, North Carolina. Dedicated to promoting the community’s rich history, vibrant culture, and scenic beauty, Visit Hickory connects travelers with unforgettable experiences in the heart of Catawba County. The mission of the HCTDA is to market and enhance the economy of the Hickory Metro by promoting conventions, meetings, and travelers to the area. For more information, visit www.visithickorymetro.com.
About NCTIA: The North Carolina Travel Industry Association (NCTIA) is a membership organization that provides resources for anyone interested in issues related to North Carolina’s travel and tourism industry. The organization focuses on education, workforce development, legislative issues, and more for the travel and tourism industry of North Carolina. For more information, visit https://nctia.travel.
About AENC: Established in 1955, Association Executives of North Carolina (AENC) provides its members with high-quality professional development and networking opportunities and fosters recognition and respect for the association management profession. Members include CEOs and staff of associations across North Carolina, as well as representatives from the association service and hospitality industries. For more information, visit https://www.aencnet.org.
Media Contact: Sarah Jones
Director of Sales & Marketing
Visit Hickory
828.322.1335
Sarah@hickorymetro.com
