Union City, Tenn.—Discovery Park of America announced that Clare Saum, director of marketing and public relations, has been selected to serve as a judge for the 2026 Southwest Virginia Tourism Awards, a regional program recognizing excellence in tourism marketing, destination development and visitor experiences.
Saum was invited to participate as part of a panel of tourism and destination marketing professionals selected to evaluate submissions based on creativity, impact and overall excellence in promoting tourism experiences.
As director of marketing and public relations at Discovery Park of America, Saum leads strategic marketing efforts for one of Tennessee’s leading tourism destinations, helping position the museum and heritage park as a draw for families, travelers and educational groups across the Mid-South and beyond.
“Being invited to serve as a judge for a tourism awards program outside our market is a meaningful professional honor, but it also reflects the growing recognition of Discovery Park of America as a destination contributing to important conversations in the tourism industry,” Saum said.
Discovery Park of America welcomes more than 275,000 guests annually and generates an estimated $38 million in regional visitor spending, contributing to lodging, dining, retail and tourism-related economic activity throughout Obion County and Northwest Tennessee. Discovery Park has also earned TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice recognition, placing it among the top 10% of attractions worldwide based on visitor reviews.
“Clare’s selection speaks to the caliber of leadership on our team and the reputation Discovery Park has built within the tourism industry,” said Scott Williams, president and CEO of Discovery Park of America. “Her work continues to help position Discovery Park as a destination that inspires guests while contributing meaningful tourism and economic impact to our region.”