Destination Dutchess celebrated the outstanding achievements of the local tourism industry at the 12th Annual Tourism Awards of Distinction breakfast, held Thursday, November 13, 2025, at Locust Grove Estate in Poughkeepsie. The annual event recognized tourism-related businesses and individuals that have made exceptional contributions to Dutchess County’s vibrant visitor economy and enriched its reputation as a premier destination in the heart of the Hudson Valley.
Awards were presented in seven categories — Hospitality Service, Storytelling, Collaboration, Events, Accessible Hospitality, Newcomer, and the Dutchess County Executive’s Award for Overall Tourism Distinction, which was won by F.W. Battenfeld & Son. For almost 70 years, this family farm in northern Dutchess has continued to grow into an exceptional agritourism attraction, helping draw visitors from far beyond the community who not only want to enjoy cutting their own Christmas tree but to also have a unique and memorable holiday experience that often turns into a family travel tradition.
The special Mary Kay Vrba Spirit Award of Distinction was presented to Indira Naidu, Director of Sales & Marketing at the Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Poughkeepsie. Naidu, a hospitality professional with more than 20 years of experience, was recognized for her leadership, creativity, and passion for promoting Dutchess County as a must-visit destination. Since joining the Hampton Inn & Suites team in 2024, she has inspired her colleagues, strengthened community partnerships, and gone above and beyond to welcome guests with warmth and genuine enthusiasm.
“Our Tourism Awards of Distinction allow us to pause and celebrate the people and businesses that make Dutchess County shine,” said Melaine Rottkamp, president & CEO of Destination Dutchess. “For more than a decade, these awards have showcased the best of our tourism community — the innovation, collaboration, and heart that fuel our collective success. These, and all the past honorees, are the foundation of our destination.” She added, “Our team is extremely proud to help travelers discover Dutchess, inspiring them to visit and spend their travel dollars in our communities, which then benefits all our residents.”
Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino joined Rottkamp in congratulating the winners and finalists. “Our County is proud to be home to an exceptional community of tourism and hospitality professionals,” said Serino. “But tourism isn’t just about the places people visit, it’s an economic engine that supports local business, drives investment, supports jobs at all income and education levels, and enriches our residents’ quality of life. We’re grateful for the continued hard work and of these outstanding tourism businesses and all the work Destination Dutchess does to support them.”
A full list of finalists and winners can be found at destinationdutchess.com/awards. The 2025 Destination Dutchess Tourism Awards of Distinction winners are:
Dutchess County Executive’s Award for Overall Tourism Distinction winner: F.W. Battenfeld & Son (Battenfeld's Christmas Tree and Anemone Farm), Red Hook
Finalists included: Four Brothers Drive-In Theatre, Amenia; Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum, Poughkeepsie
Newcomer Tourism Award of Distinction winner: Curio Cabinet of the Hudson Valley, Poughkeepsie
Finalists included: The Heartwood at Vassar, Poughkeepsie; La Sorella, Fishkill
Events Tourism Award of Distinction winner: Wassaic Project, Wassaic
Finalists included: Beatrix Farrand Garden Association (Beatrix Farrand Garden at Bellefield), Hyde Park; Innisfree Garden, Millbrook
Collaboration Tourism Award of Distinction winner: Quaker Meeting House Tour REV250 Project, Oblong Meeting House, Pawling; Nine Partners Meeting House; Millbrook; Creek Meeting House, Clinton Corners; Crum Elbow Meeting House, Hyde Park
Finalists included: Peaceful Provisions, Beacon; Poughkeepsie PorchFest, Poughkeepsie
Storytelling Tourism Award of Distinction winner: Dutchess County Department of History, Poughkeepsie
Finalists included: Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Beacon; Tangent Theatre Company, Tivoli
Accessible Hospitality Tourism Award of Distinction winner: Fisher Center at Bard College, Annandale-On-Hudson
Finalists included: Fishkill Farms, Hopewell Junction; Staatsburgh State Historic Site, Staatsburg
Hospitality Service Tourism Award of Distinction winner: John Mousseau, First Mate, Tour Guide, RV Estuary Steward Tour Boat, Bannerman Castle Trust, Beacon
Finalists included: Joe Fakhoury, Vice President of Operations, River Link Hotels, Fishkill; Annemarie O’Brien-Camuso, Server, Simply Gourmet, Poughkeepsie/Uncle Sam’s Canteen at The Henry A. Wallace Center at the FDR Presidential Library and Home, Hyde Park
The Tourism Awards of Distinction were supported by diamond sponsors Hilton Garden Inn Poughkeepsie/ Fishkill and Marist University, and platinum sponsors Adams Fairacre Farms, Central Hudson, Changing Our World, Residence Inn and Courtyard by Marriott Poughkeepsie, Hampton Inn Fishkill, Homewood Suites Poughkeepsie, Mirbeau Inn & Spa, and Today Media. Guests at the breakfast enjoyed a locally inspired menu catered by Simply Gourmet featuring ingredients donated by area producers including Soukup Farms, Harney & Sons Tea, and J.B. Peel Coffee.
