Dutchess Tourism, Inc. (DTI), the official destination marketing organization (DMO) for Dutchess County, has announced its 2022 Awards of Distinction finalists in eight categories. The winners will be recognized at the ninth annual Awards of Distinction event on Thursday, November 17, 2022, at The Henry A. Wallace Center at the FDR Presidential Library and Home in Hyde Park, N.Y. Cliff Laube will be the recipient of the Mary Kay Vrba Spirit Award.

"Congratulations to the 25 tourism-related businesses, organizations and individuals being recognized as Awards of Distinction finalists,” said Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro. “Through your resilience, you’ve played a vital role in the recovery of the local economy by providing exceptional and innovative programming. Dutchess County recognizes your creativity, dedication and commitment to providing the highest level of hospitality to our visitors.”

Cliff Laube, the Mary Kay Vrba Spirit Award honoree, is the public programs and communications manager at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, a part of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The Award honors an individual who has demonstrated selflessness, service, inclusiveness and leadership — qualities embodied by Mary Kay Vrba, former president and CEO of DTI.

Current Dutchess Tourism President and CEO Melaine Rottkamp acknowledged, “We celebrate Cliff’s tireless efforts to make Dutchess a world-class destination. His partnership and work promoting and developing engaging programs at the FDR Library and Museum have been a tremendous asset in rebuilding our tourism economy.”

A report released by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company, highlighted that visitors spent $632 million in Dutchess County in 2021, 93.7% of the record total reached in 2019, which capped 10 consecutive years of growth. Each household in Dutchess County would need to be taxed an additional $793 to replace the state and local taxes contributed by visitors. Tourism continues to be a driving force in the success of the county, having created more than 9,000 tourism jobs with a combined income of $359.7 million that gets reinvested in the local economy in the form of daily household expenses.

FINALISTS

The Dutchess County Executive’s Award for Overall Distinction recognizes businesses and organizations that have continued to grow, innovate or make other significant investments that make our county a destination that attracts millions of visitors from all over the world. The finalists are:

• Adams Fairacre Farms
• Kaatsbaan Cultural Park
• Winnakee Land Trust

The Hospitality Service Award of Distinction honors an individual front-line customer service staff member who consistently provides exceptional service to visitors. The finalists are:

• Paige Flori, Boutique Wines, Spirits and Cider

• Casey Jurutka, Shadows on the Hudson

• Indira Naidu, Hyatt Place

The Accessible Hospitality Award of Distinction is awarded to a lodging property, restaurant, attraction or event that goes above and beyond standard Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance to create accessible, supportive and inclusive environments for travelers of all abilities. The finalists are:

• Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum
• Stony Kill Farm
• Walkway Over the Hudson and New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

The Arts, Culinary, Family Entertainment, History and Outdoors Awards of Distinction recognize businesses in each category which provide exceptional experiences and continue to innovate, expand and enhance their offerings and programs to attract new and repeat visitors.

Arts Award of Distinction Finalists

• Hessel Museum of Art at Bard College
• Howland Cultural Center
• Tivoli Artists Gallery

Culinary Award of Distinction Finalists

• Café Les Baux
• Sotano Food & Wine
• Vinny’s Deli & Pasta

Family Entertainment Award of Distinction Finalists

• Barton Orchards and Tree Top Adventures
• Gravity Vault Poughkeepsie
• Sinterklaas

History Award of Distinction Finalists

• Beekman Arms and Delamater Inn
• Hopewell Depot Museum
• Mesier Homestead and Museum/Wappingers Historical Society

Outdoors Award of Distinction Finalists

• Quiet Cove Riverfront Park
• Millbrook Tribute Garden
• Wethersfield Estate & Garden

The community can learn more about each finalist and purchase tickets for the Dutchess Tourism Awards of Distinction breakfast event at www.DutchessTourism.com/awards. Attendees will enjoy a breakfast catered by Main Street Hospitality featuring local products generously donated from Soukup Farms, The Poughkeepsie Grind, Harney & Sons and Hudson Valley Fresh. Reservations are required. The Awards of Distinction event is supported by platinum sponsors Adams Fairacre Farms, Central Hudson, Global Foundries, IBM, Millbrook Vineyards & Winery, Nuvance Health and The Poughkeepsie Grand. Sponsorship opportunities at various levels of support are available for this event. Please contact Colleen Dorney at colleen@dutchesstourism.com for details. Drawing tickets are also being sold online for a chance to win one of several prize packages including two food enthusiast classes at The Culinary Institute of America and an overnight stay at Mirbeau Inn & Spa Rhinebeck. In-person attendance is not required to win.

###

About Dutchess Tourism

Dutchess Tourism, Inc., the officially designated destination marketing organization for Dutchess County, is accredited by the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) of Destinations International. As a 501c6 non-profit organization, it works to bring tourism dollars to area businesses and the community by marketing and promoting the assets of Dutchess County to the nation and the world. The office is located at 3 Neptune Road in the Town of Poughkeepsie with 16 Tourist Information Centers located around Dutchess County. The website is DutchessTourism.com and they can be reached at 845-463-4000. Dutchess Tourism, Inc. is partially funded by monies received from the County of Dutchess.