The executive director of Hopkins County Tourism and Convention Commission has been named as the 2024 Mary Hammond Tourism Director of the Year.
According to a news release, the prestigious honor was awarded at the Kentucky Association of Conventions and Visitors Bureaus December meeting, and it recognizes outstanding leadership, innovation and dedication to advancing tourism in Kentucky. That was presented to Executive Director Tricia Noel, and only adds to her sparkling list of accolades.
As a past president of KACVB and a past chair of the Kentucky Tourism Industry Association, Noel has championed statewide initiatives that highlight the vital role of tourism in Kentucky’s economy, which generates billions of dollars annually while preserving the state’s cultural and natural heritage.
KACVB President Lori Murphy-Tatum says, “Tricia Noel exemplifies the qualities that this award represents—vision, collaboration, and an unwavering dedication to her community and the industry as a whole. Her impact extends beyond Madisonville, benefiting the entire state through her leadership and advocacy.”
The Mary Hammond Tourism Director of the Year Award is named in honor of Mary Hammond, a tourism trailblazer whose work in Paducah transformed the city into a cultural and tourism hub.