Seventy tourism partners and community supporters filled the Great Room of the Franklin County 11/30 Visitors Center for the annual Tourism Brunch—a lively celebration of a standout 2025 and the people who helped make it happen.

Franklin County welcomed more than 1.5 million visitors last year, according to Placer.ai, with 61% staying overnight and 39% exploring on day trips. The region continues to draw strong interest from the Washington DC–Arlington–Alexandria corridor, south central Pennsylvania, and an increasingly notable share from the greater Philadelphia region, including parts of New Jersey and Delaware.

The program highlighted the many ways tourism strengthens community, featuring several recognitions that underscored the heart behind the numbers:

• Festival of Trees Check Presentation to the Cumberland Valley Breast Care Alliance (CVBCA). The 2025 event raised $7,500, and CVBCA President Samantha Logsdon shared how the funds directly supported local families—while noting that 2026 marks 30 years of CVBCA service.
• Certified Tourism Ambassador of the Year: Lynn Rymsza, honored for dedication to community and always being ready to exceed expectation.
• Always the Right Time to Do the Right Thing Essay Contest: Announcement of winners and the release of the 2026 Essay Booklet featuring the winning essays.
• Partner for Impact Award: Presented to Buttonwood Nature Center for its leadership in environmental stewardship, natural and cultural education, and engagement to the natural world.
• Community Impact Award: Presented to the Franklin County Fair, recognizing its long-standing role in celebrating agriculture, farm heritage, family traditions, and community spirit.

Formed by resolution of the Franklin County Commissioners on December 30, 2005, the Franklin County Visitors Bureau began as a county department and has grown over two decades into a 501(c)(6) organization. Its mission remains steadfast: to share the natural beauty, history, recreation, culture, and hospitality of Franklin County—and to strengthen the collaborative network that makes tourism a vibrant part of community life.