STLC Tourism Excellence Awards - Honorees

Applewood Orchards and Basswood Lodge to be celebrated at STLC Tourism Excellence Awards Dinner on June 11

OGDENSBURG, NY — The 2026 St. Lawrence County Tourism Dinner takes place Thursday, June 11 at Ogdensburg International Airport’s new Great Room, celebrating tourism champions whose work continues to strengthen visitor experiences and destination development across the county. 

Hosted by Visit St. Lawrence County, operated by the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, the annual event celebrates businesses and organizations helping shape the county’s tourism economy through hospitality, marketing, collaboration, and visitor engagement. 

This year’s honorees Applewood Orchards and Basswood Lodge, will receive STLC Tourism Excellence Awards recognizing outstanding achievements in hospitality and destination marketing.

The “Best to the Guest” Tourism Excellence Award recognizes a business or organization demonstrating exceptional customer service, memorable visitor experiences, unique offerings, and a strong sense of pride in St. Lawrence County. The 2026 award will honor Applewood Orchards in Rensselaer Falls.

Applewood Orchards has become a popular agritourism destination known for its welcoming atmosphere, seasonal traditions, and family-friendly experiences. The orchard draws residents and visitors with pick-your-own apples, wagon rides, a corn maze, farm market offerings, and scenic countryside views that create a classic North Country experience. Known for the hospitality and hands-on involvement of its ownership team, the orchard continues to invest in visitor engagement, seasonal experiences, and outdoor recreation opportunities that have helped position it as a standout rural destination. 

The “Best Destination Marketing Initiative” Award recognizes exceptional tourism promotion efforts that successfully raise awareness and attract visitors to St. Lawrence County. This year’s award honors Basswood Lodge in Rensselaer Falls for its consistent and highly effective destination marketing efforts.

Basswood Lodge has built a strong reputation through authentic storytelling, strategic outreach, and intentional audience targeting centered around the region’s hunting and outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the region. Through photography, video content, visitor engagement, and collaborative promotion efforts, Basswood Lodge has helped showcase St. Lawrence County to new audiences while reinforcing the area’s growing appeal as a year-round outdoor destination. Their marketing approach reflects a strong understanding of modern travel trends while staying deeply rooted in the character and identity of the North Country.

“Tourism growth in St. Lawrence County happens through collaboration, long-term destination development, and partners who are invested in strengthening the visitor experience,” said Tiffani Amo, Director of Tourism at Visit St. Lawrence County. “Applewood Orchards and Basswood Lodge both demonstrate how individual businesses can contribute to a larger regional tourism strategy by creating authentic visitor experiences that keep people returning year after year.”

The 9th Annual Tourism Dinner is being held in partnership with the Ogdensburg International Airport and begins at 5:00 PM with networking and a buffet dinner catered by St. Lawrence University. The evening is open to community members, business leaders, tourism partners, and anyone passionate about the region’s economic and cultural vitality.

Advance registration is required and space is limited. To register or learn more, visit VisitSTLC.com/tourism-dinner. Registration closes Friday, May 30.