For Immediate Release
Press Contact: Noah Howard
Public Relations Manager, pr@tourcayuga.com

Cayuga County, July 2025 — It is with great pride and deep appreciation that we share the news that Karen Kühl, Executive Director of the Cayuga County Office of Tourism, has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 NYSTIA Excellence in Leadership: Career/Lifetime Achievement Award.

This is the most prestigious individual recognition granted annually by the New York State Tourism Industry Association (NYSTIA), and it represents the highest honor awarded within New York State’s tourism sector. Karen’s selection for this award places her among a select group of leaders whose work has not only advanced their communities but has also left a lasting mark on the industry as a whole.

Karen is being recognized for her visionary leadership, her unwavering commitment to equity and inclusive tourism, and her role in elevating Cayuga County as a destination rooted in history, culture, and community. Her efforts, ranging from Travel Unity certification to the strategic promotion of Harriet Tubman’s legacy, to her work with The Underground Railroad Consortium of New York State towards the establishment of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad New York Byway, have become case studies in value-driven destination stewardship.

This award is a statewide and industrywide affirmation of the excellence Karen has brought to our office, our partners, and our mission. It is also a testament to the impact she has made through collaboration, advocacy, and innovation over the course of her seven-year tenure as Executive Director.

The award will be presented publicly at NYSTIA’s Annual Tourism Excellence Awards ceremony on September 11th in Lake George, NY.

About Cayuga County Convention & Visitors Bureau:

The Cayuga County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CCCVB) is Cayuga County’s tourism promotion agency. We increase tourism and related revenues through promotion and research-based targeted marketing, and we improve the visitor experience by providing data and training to local hospitality industry providers. We continuously work to increase tourism and improve the visitor experience, which in turn stimulates economic growth and sustains recreational and cultural opportunities in the County.