The Roswell Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) received two awards at the 2014 Georgia Governor's Tourism Conference, held recently in Augusta. Dottie Etris, executive director of the Roswell CVB Tourism program, received the Tom Kilgore Lifetime Achievement Award, which is presented to an individual who exemplifies outstanding lifetime commitment to tourism. The award is named after Tom Kilgore, a former legislator who was an early advocate and champion of tourism and one of the architects of the Hotel/Motel Tax legislation. Before being named executive director for Roswell CVB Tourism, Etris served on the Roswell Mayor's Task Force for Tourism. She also was involved in the startup of the Chattahoochee Nature Center, where she served as director of administration from 1977-1991. In addition, Etris is co-founder of the Hospitality Highway initiative, which played a big role in designating Georgia 400 as Georgia's official "Hospitality Highway." The group continues to market and promote the many tourism attractions along Georgia 400.

Visit Roswell's cooperative marketing program, "Mansions, Moonshine and Gold Mines," received the Paul Broun Award for Marketing Initiatives. The Paul Broun Award recognizes an initiative that demonstrates an effective and unique marketing program. A joint marketing program with Dawsonville and Dahlonega that targets group tours, "Mansions, Moonshine and Gold Mines" highlights many different tourism attractions and offers to encourage groups to stay longer and spend more in each area. The award was presented to Diane Stone, group tours/motor coach sales for Roswell CVB; Christy Haynes, president/CEO for Dawson County Office of Tourism Development; and Jay Markwalter, tourism director for Dahlonega-Lumpkin County.