By GAGE WILSON
for Glasgow News 1
The spirit of the season came together at the Cave Area Conference Center as county and city lines were ignored in favor of enrichment of the area Monday, Dec. 2.
The legislative luncheon included recognition of the Caveland Marketing Association’s recent success at the Traverse Awards for Excellence in Kentucky Tourism Marketing.
The Caveland association that represents the tri-county area adjacent to Mammoth Cave National Park, earned a total of 23 awards during the Kentucky Travel Industry Association’s annual conference in Covington.
“The founders of this group were ahead of their time,” said president MacLean Lessenberry. “But we have carried on their mission, and the track record has been pretty successful.”
She spotlighted the collection of awards the area won, making a special mention congratulating Jennifer McNett, director over Cave City Tourism, for her first-place overhaul of Guntown Mountain.
Cave City Tourism claimed the prestigious “Most Innovative” award for its entry, “Guntown Mountain: Not a Ghost Town Anymore.” The project transformed a long-closed attraction into a Western-themed movie set for a $9 million Lionsgate film, generating over $3 million in economic impact earlier this year. This honor was the second-highest distinction at the event.
Other top awards included an Award of Distinction for Horse Cave/Hart County Tourism’s “Pet Friendly Adventures,”showcasing itineraries and blogs geared toward pet owners, and another for Caveland’s “Curating Kentucky’s Caveland,” which celebrated a summer event connecting content creators with local attractions.
The luncheon also highlighted the broader economic influence of tourism in the region. In 2023, the Caveland Marketing area generated $175.4 million in visitor spending, supported 1,398 jobs, and contributed $13.5 million in state and local taxes, according to the association. Barren County alone accounted for $121.1 million of this spending, underscoring the region’s significant contributions to Kentucky’s tourism industry.
“With nearly 250 entries statewide, we are deeply honored to receive this recognition,” Lessenberry said. “These awards remind us of the impact our work has and inspire us to continue promoting the unique experiences our region offers.”
Before closing, attendees were treated to a presentation by Brandon Jarrett, a local social media influencer who promotes locales and works closely with tourism departments across the Barren River area. “I’ve had a lot of fun with this, it really hasn’t felt like work at all,” he laughed. “It’s been an honor to have this opportunity to represent this area in a creative way.”
Since its inception in 1993, Caveland Marketing has fostered collaboration among the tri-county area. “The roads are not always smooth, the leadership changes, and the political and financial pressures can be rocky,” Lessenberry said, “but the goals of promoting the area, improving the local economy, and enhancing quality of life always remain.”
