2025 Elkhart County Area Guide wins statewide Best Visitor Guide award at annual Indiana Tourism Conference

The Elkhart County CVB’s 2025 Elkhart County Area Guide won the Best Visitor Guide award at the recent Indiana Tourism Conference.

“I’m overjoyed that the Elkhart County CVB’s team was recognized for this honor. But the biggest winners of all were the 160-plus locally owned businesses, the Elkhart County cities and towns along with Shipshewana, and the plethora of local festivals and events that were featured in the guide,” said Jon Hunsberger, executive director of the Elkhart County CVB.

The Elkhart County CVB distributed 150,000 copies of the guide to visitors and potential visitors throughout the Midwest, including through partnerships that put the guide into mailboxes in the Chicago, Indianapolis, and Grand Rapids, Mich., markets. The guides were also readily available at travel plazas along the Indiana Toll Road, Ohio Turnpike, other Indiana interstates, and Elkhart County businesses.

Judges described the Elkhart County Area Guide as “very well-balanced” with “clear, engaging descriptions of things to see and do.” They continued, “Maps are easy to read, ads integrate smoothly, and the dual cover options plus quality paper stock elevate the overall presentation. A thoughtful, user-friendly publication.”

In claiming the award, the Elkhart County CVB prevailed over other destination management organizations of similar sizes and marketing budgets.

The award is the ninth Indiana Tourism Award that the Elkhart County CVB has claimed in 10 years. Other awards have included Best Festival or Event, Best Cooperative Partnership for the Exit 92 and Downtown Elkhart campaigns.

The Best Visitor Guide Award was presented at the recent Indiana Tourism Conference in downtown Indianapolis, which experienced record-setting attendance with more than 370 tourism and hospitality leaders present for three days of professional education and networking.

About the Elkhart County CVB

The Elkhart County Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official tourism advertising/marketing and public/community relations organization for the Elkhart County hospitality industry. The ECCVB advances quality-of-place initiatives in our downtowns and rural spaces, parks and natural environment, arts and culture, and events, festivals, groups and activities that help forge social connections.