Awarded as part of the organization’s Recommend Rochester event for local influencers, the Tourism Achievement Award recognizes the contributions of local residents who have been integral in bringing large-scale meetings and events to Rochester, NY.
2024 Award Recipients
Stephen Jacobs, Professor for the School of Interactive Games and Media at RIT. Stephen’s journey with RIT began in 1989 as a sign language interpreter. Over time, he moved up to become a Professor in the School of Interactive Games and Media. He was a co-author of the original degree programs and a founding Associate Director of RIT’s MAGIC Center/Magic Spell Studios. Visit Rochester first began working with Stephen in 2012 when he brought the International Games Innovation Conference to Rochester, in collaboration with The Strong Museum. Stephen has been integral in bringing multiple conferences to the Rochester community over the last 12 years.
Kathy Hoyt, Executive Director of Section V Athletics. Kathy is a lifelong champion of athletics, and currently serves as the first full-time Executive Director of Section V Athletics, representing a 12-county region, including Monroe County. Kathy is a pivotal advocate for state events, helping Visit Rochester bid on and secure numerous state championships.
2023 Award Recipients
Dr. Amy DelCorvo, CEO and Executive Director of NYSCATE (New York State Association for Computers and Technologies in Education). Dr. Delcorvo has served as the CEO of NYSCATE since 2010 and has been the driving force behind bringing NYSCATE’s annual convention to Rochester each November. 2023 marks the 19th year the organization will have hosted its convention in Rochester. The event brings more than 1,500 attendees and 150 exhibitors on an annual basis to the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center and a multitude of hotels around Monroe County.
Allen Buell, past-president Drum Corps Associates. Allen Buell has been involved in the world of drum and bugle corps for more than 45 years, including serving as the Vice President & President of Drum Corps Associates. Buell was the catalyst in the Drum Corps World Championship’s return to Rochester and Monroe County in 1996 (it had not been held in Rochester before than since 1976). In total, DCA’s World Championship was held in Rochester 21 times during the organization’s 50+ year history, including 11 years under Buell’s leadership. Over the course of its history in Rochester, the DCA World Championship has generated an economic impact of more than $25 million for the local community.
