Kokomo Visitors Bureau recognizes Dean Hockney with the 2013 FIRSTS Award

Dean Hockney, recipient of the 2013 FIRSTS Award

The Kokomo Visitors Bureau presented Dean Hockney with the 2013 FIRSTS Award, which stands for FANTASTIC INDIVIDUAL  RECOGNIZED  for  SUPERIOR  TOURISM  SERVICE, on November 7, 2013.

Dean has led the Kokomo Visitors Bureau’s sports initiatives through the leadership role of the Greater Kokomo Sports Authority committee for 2 years, which has brought awareness of sports tourism to our community.  Under Dean’s leadership, more than 10,000 hotel rooms have been occupied in Howard County because of sports.  This translates into 1.5 million dollars of visitor spending!

Along with his other community service efforts, such as coaching, mentoring youth, immediate Past President of the Kiwanis Club, Vice President of the Howard County Sports Hall of Fame, Advisory Board member of Prevent Child Abuse of Howard County, just to name a few, Dean is also an award winning journalist and owner and editor of the Sports Journal of Central Indiana.

Awarded since 1997, the FIRSTS Award is given to an individual who has gone the extra mile in contributing to the tourism efforts of the Kokomo Visitors Bureau, has given over-the-top hospitality through a single act or through on-going efforts over a period of time, has given assistance to a visitor, or has sponsored an event in the community that makes a significant difference to the hospitality industry in Howard County.

For more information about the Kokomo Visitors Bureau, visit www.VisitKokomo.org.

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Kokomo CVB Sign Grant Program Assisting Downtown Businesses

Pepperwhistle Bakery & Cafe

New signage is popping up around Downtown Kokomo.  Local businesses are partnering with the Greater Kokomo Visitors Bureau’s Perpendicular Sign Grant Program to enhance business signage, as well as the look of Downtown.  The grant program is designed to offer financial assistance to downtown businesses wishing to install perpendicular or blade signs to storefronts to increase visibility to visitors and residents and improve the quality of place.  Up to 50% of the total cost of sign production and installation may be granted up to a maximum of $1,000.

Pepperwhistle Bakery and Cafe and the Law Office of Corbin King have both installed perpendicular signs this spring after receiving grants from the Greater Kokomo Visitors Bureau.  Both signs were designed and installed by Huston.  For more information about the sign grant program, call (765) 457-6802 or visit our website.

Law Office of Corbin King

Celebrating Kokomo’s Tourism Leaders

The Kokomo Visitors Bureau recognized Kay Frazer for her dedicated service in the tourism industry on March 4, 2013.  Kay is the Curator at the Elwood Haynes Museum and announced her retirement after 33 years of service.  We appreciate all the wonderful hospitality she has shown to visitors, her support of Kokomo/Howard County tourism, and her passion for sharing the fascinating story of Elwood Haynes and his legacy to Kokomo and around the world!  The Kokomo Visitors Bureau salutes Kay as one of Kokomo’s tourism leaders.

 

Kay Frazer is recognized for 33 years of service in the tourism industry

 

 

 

Greater Kokomo Visitors Bureau Launches 2013 Tourism Grant Program

The Greater Kokomo Visitors Bureau recently launched a new tourism grant program for 2013.  This grant program assists local organizations with funding for projects, advertising dollars, and special events that increase tourism business in Howard County.  Grant applications, guidelines, and criteria are available on our website www.VisitKokomo.org.  For more information on the program, contact Kim Morgan or Sherry Matlock at (765) 457-6802.

Kokomo Visitors Bureau Receives NSA Meritorious Award

Jim Kimmel, Director of NSA Indiana North, presents the 2012 Meritorious Award to Kim Morgan

At the 2^nd Annual National Softball Association Northern Indiana Hall of Fame Banquet, held November 10, 2012 in Warsaw, Indiana, the Greater Kokomo Visitors Bureau received the Meritorious Award.  The Greater Kokomo Visitors Bureau has partnered with NSA Indiana North for many years to bring adult softball and quality tournaments to the Kokomo community.

Jim Kimmel, Director of NSA Indiana North presented Kim Morgan of the Greater Kokomo Visitors Bureau with the award during the Hall of Fame Banquet.  He stated, “The Kokomo Visitors Bureau’s partnership with the NSA has been a driving force for additional tournament play in the Kokomo community.”  The NSA hosted 8 tournaments in Kokomo during the 2012 season.  Those tournaments produced more than $250,000 in visitor spending.

Other Kokomo award winners were the Kokomo Parks Department which received the 110% award and Mike Hagy who was inducted into the Hall of Fame under the Coaches Division.

Kim Morgan thanks Northern Indiana NSA for presenting the Kokomo Visitors Bureau with the Meritorious Award at the 2012 Awards Banquet

Congratulations Lowell Teagle – 2012 FIRSTS Award Winner!

2012 FIRSTS Award winner Lowell Teagle with Kokomo Visitors Bureau staff members Kim Morgan & Sherry Matlock

The Kokomo Visitors Bureau presented the 2012 FIRSTS Award to Lowell Teagle during the 98^th Annual Greater Kokomo Chamber Dinner on November 8, 2012.  The FIRSTS Award stands for Fantastic Individual Recognized for Superior Tourism Service.

Awarded annually since 1997, this award is given to an individual who has gone the extra mile in contributing to the tourism efforts of the Kokomo Visitors Bureau, has given over-the-top hospitality through a single act or through on-going efforts over a period of time, has given assistance to a visitor or has sponsored an event in the community that makes a significance difference to the hospitality industry in Howard County.

Mr. Teagle is the Secretary of the Fraternal Order of Eagles #255 in Kokomo.  He and his organization have been great partners with the Kokomo Visitors Bureau for more than a decade, giving superior service to visitors each and every year.  He has organized state or regional meetings for the Eagles every year, hosted state bowling tournaments, golf tournaments, and even hosted the Eagles National Tournament in Kokomo.  His efforts have produced more than 5,000 secured hotel rooms in the past ten years, which translates into $875,000 in visitor spending in our community.

We would like to thank Mr. Teagle for his support of local tourism in Kokomo/Howard County and congratulate him on being this year’s award recipient!  For more information about the Kokomo Visitors Bureau, visit www.VisitKokomo.org.

Download the NEW Kokomo Indiana Visitors Guide!

Download the new Kokomo/Howard County Visitors Guide!  Find all the information you need to plan your next getaway … Things to Do, Parks & Trails, Family Recreation, Art & Culture, Lodging, Festivals, Fun Facts, and a Local Map!

Request a brochure or download the full digital version for immediate access.  You can also get all this great information on your smartphone by downloading our Visit Kokomo Mobile App!  For more information on Kokomo, call the Greater Kokomo Visitors Bureau at 800-837-0971 or visit our website at www.VisitKokomo.org.