Times Observer photo by Heather Cathcart-Norris The Warren County Visitors Bureau held its annual meeting, at which awards were presented to the WCCBI for the Event of the year and Bent Run for the organization of the year. Casey Ferry, executive director of the WCVB, presented an award to Phil and Denise Caudill, the owners of Bent Run.

The Warren County Visitors Bureau is recognizing Bent Run Brewing as its Organization of the Year.

Bent Run owners Phil and Denise Caudill were awarded the Organization of the Year for bringing tourists to the area, making their stay memorable, and showing off what Warren County has to offer.

Phil Caudill said, “It is an honor. I didn’t know how important tourism is to our area until we had the business. We love Warren County.”

See WCVB/ A3

The Event of the Year award went to the Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry for the USCA Marathon Canoe and Kayak Championships, which brings in tourists from across the globe to compete.

The bureau recently held its annual meeting, which included an update about how Warren County is being marketed around the region and how residents can benefit from the bureau. Casey Ferry, executive director of WCVB, presented highlights showing how the organization supports tourism and the area’s economic growth.

The Visitors Bureau is a non-profit organization funded primarily through occupancy/hotel taxes. The WCVB is one of 50 tourist promotion agencies in Pennsylvania. This agency differs from a rest stop in offering much more than just information. The organization has a comprehensive website, sends out free visitor guides, collaborates with other regional tourism organizations, and keeps communities informed about what is happening throughout the county.

Ferry and administrative assistant Lisa Card are the only full-time employees. They work to market and promote Warren while also getting out and enjoying it. Card posts an extensive list of all events on their Facebook page weekly. Other part-time employees help the WCVB staff the Kinzua Point Information Center seasonally.