Lewis receives lifetime achievement award at tourism meet

CHARLESTON – The retiring president and CEO of the Greater Parkersburg Convention and Visitors Bureau received a lifetime achievement award Tuesday during the 2026 West Virginia Governor's Conference on Tourism.

Mark Lewis, who will retire Nov. 1, received the Oshel Craigo Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes more than four decades of service to West Virginia's tourism industry.

Lewis was presented the award by Tourism Secretary Kayla Kessinger and when his name was announced, the audience rose for a standing ovation as Lewis made his way to accept the award.

"Seeing the entire room stand when Mark's name was announced was an incredible moment," Autumn Henthorn, interim president of the Parkersburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, said. "Mark has spent more than 40 years building relationships, sharing his knowledge and championing West Virginia tourism. The standing ovation from his peers was a wonderful reflection of the respect people throughout this industry have for him and the impact he has made during his career."

Lewis' career started in 1981 as a whitewater rafting guide in Fayette County. He became president and CEO of the tourist bureau in Parkersburg, his hometown, in 2012.

The Oshel Craigo Lifetime Achievement Award honors individuals whose careers have made a lasting contribution to West Virginia tourism.

The Department of Tourism Tuesday also announced other 2026 Almost Heaven Achievement Award winners at the convention.

In the Marketing and Communications Excellence categories:

Co-Op Campaign of the Year: Mon Forest Towns Partnership

Digital Innovation Award: Visit Mercer County

Earned Media Excellence: Jefferson County CVB

Marketing and Advertising Campaign of the Year: Visit Mountaineer Country CVB

Print Media Excellence: Marion County CVB

Special Project of the Year: Mountaineer Gravel & Visit Mountaineer Country CVB

In Tourism Industry Honors categories:

Future of Tourism Award: Charles Evans and the Snowshoe Highlands Area Recreation Collaborative

Governor's Award for Regional Tourism Impact: Mon Forest Towns Partnership

Mountain State Tourism Development Award: River Riders

Spirit of Almost Heaven Award: West Virginia Botanic Garden Team and Volunteers

West Virginia Tourism Professional of the Year: Susan Riddle