PA Wilds now seeking Champion Award nominations for 2019
Save the Date! 2019 PA Wilds Annual Dinner & Awards to be held November 7

Know someone in your community who has gone above and beyond to grow the nature and heritage tourism industry in the Pennsylvania Wilds? Maybe a person who is spearheading an inspiring local project and tying it into regional efforts? Or a local business that is reinventing itself and helping pass foot traffic to others? Or a local leader that has stepped up to make sure your community is part of the regional tourism conversation? Nominate them for a 2019 PA Wilds Champion Award!

Awards will be given and celebrated at the 2019 PA Wilds Annual Dinner & Awards, to be held Thursday, November 7, 2019 at the DuBois Country Club, 10 Lakeside Ave, DuBois, PA 15801. Nominations for nine awards categories are now open to the public.

Hosted by the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, Inc. (PA Wilds Center) in coordination with the PA Wilds Planning Team, the event is the premier annual networking opportunity in the Pennsylvania Wilds, where state and regional representatives, leaders and citizens come together to talk about how nature and heritage tourism efforts are positively impacting area communities.

Typically held annually in the Spring, the event has been moved to late Fall for 2019. The keynote speaker and theme for the dinner will be announced later this year.

The public can submit nominations now through July 1, 2019 5:00 PM EST. Categories include outstanding leader; great places, conservation stewardship (both individual and organization), great design, member of the year, artisan of the year, business of the year, inspiring youth award, outstanding event and best brand ambassador. To make a nomination, visit www.pawildscenter.org/awards-dinner.

ABOUT THE AWARDS: The prestigious PA Wilds Champion Awards are given out annually to individuals, groups, organizations, communities and businesses that in the last year have made significant contributions to help grow and sustainably develop the outdoor recreation economy and nature tourism in the Pennsylvania Wilds in a way that creates jobs, diversifies local economies, inspires stewardship and improves quality of life. The region’s 12 county governments, visitor bureaus and many local organizations participate in the effort, along with PA’s Dept. of Conservation & Natural Resources and Dept. of Community & Economic Development.

“Based on feedback we’ve received, we’re excited to move this important event to later in the year, creating a longer window for nominations and planning. As the PA Wilds initiative grows, our partner network is growing. We have so many new leaders, businesses, youth, conservation movements, community revitalization groups and more involved in the work – we really needed the extra time in the calendar year to be sure we’re covering all these participants and that the public has ample time to nominate their champions. The PA Wilds initiative is and has always been a people movement,” said Ta Enos, Executive Director of the PA Wilds Center. “The PA Wilds champions represent the very best of our rural communities each year; their enthusiasm is contagious and inspiring.”

ABOUT THE PA WILDS: The Pennsylvania Wilds, one of the state’s 11 official tourism regions, covers about a quarter of the Commonwealth and includes the counties of Warren, McKean, Potter, Tioga, Lycoming, Clinton, Cameron, Elk, Forest, Clarion, Jefferson, Clearfield and the northern part of Centre county. The region is known for its more than 2 million acres of public land, and also boasts two National Wild & Scenic Rivers, some of the darkest skies in the country and the largest wild elk herd in the Northeast. Visitors spend an estimated $1.7 billion in the region each year, according to the most recent statistics.

Nominations can be made at the PA Wilds Center website www.pawildscenter.org/awards-dinner/   The deadline for nominations is July 1, 2019 at 5:00 PM EST.

The PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, Inc. (PA Wilds Center) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to integrate conservation and economic development in a way that strengthens and inspires communities in the Pennsylvania Wilds.

Enjoy highlights from the 2018 PA Wilds Annual Dinner & Awards

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