Westchester County Earns 2025 New York State Tourism Excellence Award

Press release from the Westchester County Government:

Recognizing Westchester Tourism & Film Campaign to Drive Small Business Growth and Discovery

Westchester County Tourism & Film is proud to announce it has earned the prestigious Excellence in Tourism Marketing Campaigns, Projects & Programs Award from the New York State Tourism Industry Association (NYSTIA) celebrating our commitment to innovative community-driven tourism initiatives. This award recognizes the effectiveness, creativity and ongoing commitment of the County’s Tourism & Film office to showcasing the beauty, attractions and dynamic opportunities inherent to Westchester.

Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “Tourism is more than just a driver of economic growth—it’s a reflection of the stories, culture and communities that make Westchester so special. This recognition is a testament to the hard work of our tourism professionals, small businesses and local partners who welcome visitors with open arms and unforgettable experiences. We’re proud to be a destination of choice and look forward to continue to share Westchester’s rich history and diverse beauty.”

Westchester County Tourism & Film Director Natasha Caputo said: “This award is a tremendous honor and a reflection of the passion and creativity that drive our tourism and film industries every day. From our scenic river towns and cultural institutions, to our local craft breweries and hospitality partners, Westchester continues to shine as a vibrant and welcoming world-class destination. We’re grateful for the collaboration across sectors that makes this success possible—and look forward to continue to champion new opportunities for growth and innovation.”

The NYS Tourism Excellence Award was given to Westchester County Tourism & Film for its PR and promotional efforts that went into its “Pouring New Life into Westchester” campaign in collaboration with Mower, an award-winning public relations and marketing firm. Included in this campaign was the launch of the Westchester Craft Beverage Trail, which is a free, web-based “passport” program that highlights the County’s standout craft beverage scene. Since its launch, the campaign has encouraged visitors to discover diverse regions of the county, promoting local businesses and enhancing the visitor experience with a rewarding engagement system.

Mower Senior Vice President – Head of Public Relations & Public Affairs Trish Nugent said: “At the heart of this campaign was a desire to celebrate the people and places that exemplify Westchester’s creative spirit. We’re honored to have played a role in helping residents and visitors alike discover the county’s rich craft beverage culture—while driving meaningful growth opportunities for local makers and tourism partners.”

Each year, the New York State Tourism Excellence Awards program honors exceptional achievements by New York’s destination marketing organizations, attractions and tourism professionals across a wide range of categories, including marketing, destination stewardship and leadership. The honorees for 2025 will be celebrated at a special ceremony and reception, hosted by Advance Media New York, on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, in Lake George, N.Y.

About Westchester County Tourism & Film

Westchester County Tourism & Film is the official destination marketing organization of Westchester County, N.Y. Its mission is to generate economic benefits for the County by enhancing and promoting its image as a premier Hudson Valley business and leisure destination. Encompassing big cities, small towns, farms, and vast expanses of natural beauty, Westchester is easily accessible by car, its own regional airport (HPN) and three major rail lines. Accommodation choices range from independent to internationally branded hotels and conference centers. Learn more at visitwestchesterny.com and connect on Facebook, X and Instagram.

About Mower

Mower is a 100% employee owned and digitally integrated independent marketing, advertising and public relations agency. Women-led, it has professional staff in 18 cities throughout the U.S. With the mission of Making Fierce Friends® between brands, customers and stakeholders, Mower delivers strategic insights and counsel, digital solutions, smart creative and award-winning results to clients in a wide range of industries and service sectors, including B2B, Energy & Sustainability, Healthcare, Financial Services and Travel & Tourism. It has earned top industry accolades from Clio, Cannes and ANA B2 awards and is the only full-service independent agency ranked in Ad Age, B2B Marketing, PRWeek and Chief Marketer. Mower is part of two global agency networks—thenetworkone and IPREX—as well as the 4A’s.

This press release was produced by the Westchester County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.