Award Partners
Without the support of our dedicated Award Partners, this year’s Tourism Excellence Awards wouldn’t be possible. A huge thank you to them for their ongoing support. Get to know them all a little better, find out why they have decided to support the event and champion our visitor economy, and discover who will be presenting each award category…
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Lincolnshire Showground
Sponsoring: The Outstanding Contribution Award, which will be presented by Charlotte Powell
Charlotte Powell, CEO at the Lincolnshire Showground, said: “Sponsoring an award is our way of celebrating the remarkable people and ideas driving our industry forward within Lincolnshire.”
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Knapton Wright
Sponsoring: Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award, which will be presented by Alex Wright
Alex Wright, Managing Director and Co-founder of Knapton Wright, said: “As an agency we are thrilled to be partnering with Destination Lincolnshire and Discover Rutland to help deliver this year’s The Tourism Excellence Awards for Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland. Businesses working across the very vast landscape that is today’s tourism and visitor economy industry are some of those going above and beyond to bring sustainability and a sense of ethical responsibility to the fore. The aspirations the sector has at a national level to address its environmental impact are absolutely to be applauded, and I for one am looking forward to seeing how Visit England’s ambitions progress into 2025. Given our focus on working with brands that put people and the planet first, Knapton Wright is delighted to see sustainability at the heart of so many visitor economy businesses, including, of course, agency Director Louise’s self-catering accommodation, The Old Granary, a Tourism Award winner in 2020 and 2022!”
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Heart of Lincs (North Kesteven District Council)
Sponsoring: Large Visitor Attraction of the Year, which will be presented by Cllr Richard Wright
North Kesteven District Council Leader Cllr Richard Wright said: “Tourism excellence lives in all of the daily actions and interactions which together form a fantastic visitor economy. It’s in the cafes and restaurants ensuring that their customers have a great visit; the shops and businesses providing unique products and services; the hospitality and accommodation venues offering a great place to stay; the attractions big and small which provide unforgettable experiences; and so much more. Large visitor attractions act as launchpads through which visitors and residents alike can easily discover more. They provide excellent cornerstone experiences which reflect local culture, history and heritage, and other aspects while also working with partners to promote nearby food and drink options, stays and attractions to ensure people keep coming back to the area. It’s this co-operative and holistic role in the visitor economy which we seek to recognise as sponsor for the Large Visitor Attraction of the Year category, as well as continuing to be an active partner in Destination Lincolnshire’s work to support businesses and help the wider visitor economy to grow.”
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East Lindsey District Council
Sponsoring: New Tourism Business of the Year, which will be presented by Cllr Craig Leyland
Craig Leyland, Leader at East Lindsey District Council, said: “I am delighted that East Lindsey District Council is able to sponsor the New Tourism Business of the Year Award at this fantastic event that celebrates all of the positive work going on across the region to improve our visitor offer. Our local businesses are of great importance to us as a council, as they are a huge contributor to our local economy and add to the vibrancy of our towns. The opportunity to shine the spotlight on the work of some of these businesses is very exciting, and I very much look forward to attending, hearing their inspiring stories, and presenting the award on the night.”
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West Lindsey District Council
Sponsoring: Arts, Heritage and Culture Award, which will be presented by Cllr Stephen Bunney
Cllr Stephen Bunney, at West Lindsey District Council, said: “West Lindsey District Council is delighted to be a part of the awards, it is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the wonderful array of visitor economy businesses we have in our beautiful county.”
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Insight6
Sponsoring: Experience of the Year, which will be presented by Michelle Rust
Michelle Rust, insight6 CX Director South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and East Cheshire, said: “I am so excited to be back for my third year supporting Destination Lincolnshire with the awards for the Lincolnshire visitor economy. Each year I have seen the high levels of dedication and commitment from all the applicants to make it through the rounds to the final. It is a true celebration of all that is fantastic about Lincolnshire, and I’m honoured to be involved. Good luck to everyone!”
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Mayflower & Lily
Sponsoring: Venue and table styling
Founded by Emma Whittle in 2015, after growing, cutting and arranging the flowers for her own wedding, Mayflower & Lily has become one of the county's leading floral design and venue styling providers. Finding disposing of each floral display heart-breaking, in 2020 Emma made the decision to specialise in working with only artificial flowers ensuring displays large and small offer longevity and a nod to sustainability all the while bringing customer's visions to life.
Emma said: "I'm absolutely thrilled to be involved in the Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards ceremony! This prestigious event celebrates the very best that Lincolnshire and now Rutland have to offer, and being part of that is an incredible opportunity I absolutely wouldn't have wanted to miss out on.
"I'm so excited to be able to share my passion for creating immersive experiences through luxury artificial flowers and bespoke venue styling for this event. While my business is rooted in the wedding industry, I see this as a fantastic chance to expand into the corporate events space.
"Corporate events demand creativity, sophistication and attention to detail -qualities I pride myself on delivering. the Tourism Excellence Awards bring together the region's leading businesses and professionals, giving me the perfect platform to connect with a wider audience and demonstrate how my services can elevate events. From award ceremonies to gala dinners, I'm excited to show how my design can enhance the ambience, create lasting impressions and reflect the unique identity of my clients - in this case the gorgeous Destination Lincolnshire! It's an honour to be part of such a prestigious celebration"
With an eye on growing her business over the coming year, we are thrilled to have Mayflower and Lily on board as our venue and table stylist.
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Systematic
Sponsoring: Print Partner
Jacqui Vear, Operations Director at Systematic, said: "Since 1975, we have been supporting businesses, both within and beyond our visitor economy, to improve efficiency, elevate brand profiles, and maximise marketing returns. Sponsoring The Tourism Excellence Awards as part of our 50th birthday celebrations felt like a natural way to give back and honour the outstanding achievements of the sector. Congratulations to all the entrants; your hard work and dedication are a vital part of what makes Lincolnshire such a special place to call home."
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The Drill, part of The Lincoln College Group
Sponsoring: The Homegrown in Lincolnshire and Rutland Award, which will be presented by Mark Taylor, Director of Business Development & Partnerships.
Mark said: “We are really excited to be a part of the awards and to be joining in with celebrating both businesses and individuals that make Lincolnshire a fantastic destination to live, work and visit. The rate of pace in growth in the county is something we are delighted to behold at Lincoln College and the ambitious plans for the future are truly encouraging.”
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Nicholsons Chartered Accountants
Sponsoring: The Going Places Award, which will be presented by Steve Robinson, Director.
Steve said: “We are absolutely delighted to be part of the Tourism Excellence Awards, an event that celebrates the incredible dedication, innovation, and achievements of businesses within the tourism industry. At Nicholsons, we recognise the vital role tourism plays in driving local economies and showcasing the best of what our region has to offer. Supporting these awards allows us to honour the hard work of individuals and organisations that go above and beyond to create unforgettable experiences for visitors. It's a privilege to be involved in celebrating their success.”
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Scott Perry, Director of Innovation and Magic
Sponsoring: Entertainment Partner
As the world’s first Director of Innovation & Magic, Scott Perry utilises his 20+ years of experience in magic to build on three pillars; Entertainment, Health and Education.
As a professional magician, Scott is a leader in event entertainment at corporate events, weddings and private parties, described by HM King Charles III as, “Truly Amazing”. His unique work has also been used to bring marketing campaigns and social media content to life, to help brands communicate the “magic” of their product(s) or service(s).
Under ‘Health’ Scott explores magic as a means of mental/physical therapy and the neurological benefits it can offer. While, within ‘Education’ Scott speaks at events and conferences on the historical and scientific applications of magic as well as facilitating workshops in schools, academies and universities.
On the night - Scott will be providing his modern style of close-up magic during the welcome reception but if you see him around the event, do ask him about his upbringing and career in Lincolnshire, a funny celebrity story or be cheeky and ask if he’ll share some magic with your table. You might get lucky.
About his involvement on the night, Director of Innovation & Magic, Scott, said: “I grew up in Lincolnshire. I was schooled in Lincolnshire and most of my life has been lived in Lincolnshire. The county has given me so much over the years and although I was born in London, Lincolnshire is the place that feels like home. From my childhood attending the Heckington show and primary school trips to Lincoln Castle and the Cathedral, to my teenage years studying in Lincoln at Access-To-Music and Lincoln College, I never imagined that in 2011 The Prince’s Trust (now King’s Trust) Lincoln branch would provide me with the opportunity to start up my own business in the city I love. Over the years Lincoln businesses and people have been integral to my success and in turn, I’ve hosted theatre shows in Lincoln, bringing hundreds of people to the city for new experiences. I’ve also used my shows to raise money for local charities and work with schools in the community. If you can keep a secret - I was also involved in the filming of Downton Abbey filmed at Lincoln Castle! Lincoln(shire) may be quiet, and often flat, but it is a vibrant part of the UK with a rich history, beautiful landmarks and talented people. Plus, we have the Lincoln Imp warding off any bad vibes. I’m incredibly proud to be a part of Lincoln Tourism Awards.”
For more information visit www.scottperrymagic.com
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AVH Parks Ltd
Sponsoring: Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award, which will be presented by William Kirstein
Will, General Manager of Rutland, Grafham and Alton, AVH Parks Ltd, said: "At AVH Parks, we are incredibly proud to sponsor The Tourism Excellence Awards for Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland. These awards showcase the hard work, creativity, and passion that drive our local tourism industry, an industry that plays such a vital role in the region’s economy and community. Supporting excellence aligns perfectly with our mission of creating exceptional visitor experiences that celebrate the beauty and diversity of the UK. By sponsoring these awards, we not only celebrate the achievements of tourism businesses but also contribute to fostering growth, innovation, and sustainability across Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland. Congratulations to all the nominees – your dedication inspires us all!”
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Fantasy Island
Sponsoring: Small Visitor Attraction of the Year Award
Paige Harris-Scott, Strategic Brand & Partnerships Manager at Fantasy Island, said: “Fantasy Island is delighted to sponsor the Small Visitor Attraction of the Year at the Tourism Excellence Awards 2024/2025. We’re proud to support the incredible dedication and innovation within our local tourism industry, especially during such challenging times. Celebrating these achievements is essential, and we’re thrilled to be part of this inspiring event.”
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DoubleTree by Hilton, Lincoln
Sponsoring: The Drinks Reception
Parry Rathod, General Manager, DoubleTree by Hilton, Lincoln said: “We at DoubleTree by Hilton Lincoln are honoured to sponsor the Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Business Awards. This event is a testament to the dedication and innovation within our local tourism industry, and we are proud to support the celebration of these achievements. We are also incredibly excited to be nominated for the Hotel of the Year award, which is a reflection of our team's hard work and commitment to exceptional hospitality.”