Clackamas County Tourism receives national award

Tourism newcomer Annie Bailey reaches for the stars in her everyday work

US Travel Association’s 2013 Destinations Marketing Organization (DMO) Council announced that Annie Bailey, Clackamas County Tourism Marketing and Public Relations lead, is the recipient of its 2013 Rising Star Award. The award was presented to Ms. Bailey before an audience of 600 travel professionals who gathered from across the country to share in the latest industry insights and Best Practices at the Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations (ESTO) Conference held in Richmond, VA.

The Destinations Council DMO Rising Star is a professional who works within a DMO, has three or fewer years of experience in the industry and is creating positive change in an always-changing industry. All entries are reviewed and the winner selected by a national nominating committee.

Danielle Cowan, Executive Director for Clackamas County Tourism, points to the quantifiable results that contribute to Ms. Bailey’s recognition as a natural leader in Tourism Public Relations: “In just a little over a year, our Facebook fans have climbed to 67,882 Facebook engagement increased 1,000%, Twitter followers increased 475%, and our blog experienced a 50% viewership growth. Annie also launched and is growing two new social media outlets, Instagram and Pinterest. Annie executed a successful first Tourism Tech Symposium for local partners, in addition to dynamically executing media desk-side tours, events, story pitches, and marketing materials on an ongoing basis.”

A native Oregonian, Bailey was new to Tourism in 2012, but brought more than seven years of promotions, marketing, and radio advertising sales experience to the job. “I’m extraordinarily honored to receive the national Rising Star Award,” she said. “The work I do would not be possible without the help of our tourism partners, as well as the extraordinary destination I’m lucky enough to explore and talk about every day. I’m truly grateful for the exemplary team of tourism professionals I have the pleasure of working with every day.”

Congratulations to Annie Bailey, this year’s 2013 National Rising Star in Destination Marketing!

About Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory: Clackamas County Tourism & Cultural Affairs (branded “Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory”), is dedicated to economic development through visitor spending. Funded by transient room taxes collected by area lodging facilities and campgrounds. Tourism efforts highlight lodging and events, as well as attractions and restaurants by providing marketing, public relations, destination development community relations and visitor information services. Clackamas County is a contributing partner in enhancing Oregon’s quality of life by strengthening the economic impacts of the state’s $9.2 billion tourism industry.