The Ohio Travel Association announced Lance Woodworth as the recipient of the 2024 Paul Sherlock Legend in Ohio Travel Award. The Paul Sherlock Award is the Ohio travel industry’s highest honor, recognizing one individual each year who exemplifies professional, personal and career excellence. Each year, the recipient’s career achievement and tireless efforts toward Ohio travel are recognized during an award presentation at the Ohio Conference on Travel.

Lance Woodworth is the President and CEO of Destination Toledo and has spent more than two decades of service to Ohio’s travel and tourism industry. Lance joined Destination Toledo in 2018 after nearly 15 years as General Manager at The Jet Express. At Destination Toledo, Woodworth played an instrumental role in the 2021 Solheim Cup and securing $2 million in grant funding for the event. has led the team to create popular initiatives like the 419 Ale Trail, and leads the Trails and Tales Committee for America-250 Ohio, The Ohio Commission for the U.S. Semiquincentennial.

Woodworth is a dedicated champion of the travel industry at the local, regional, and state levels with extensive involvement on many industry boards and committees. He currently holds positions on the boards of Ohio Travel Association, Ohio Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, Ohio Society of Association Professionals and more. Additionally, in 2023 Woodworth was appointed by Governor DeWine to the TourismOhio Advisory Board.

Woodworth is a Northwest Ohio native and graduate of Bowling Green State University. He has continued his learning and dedication to the industry as a graduate of the Ohio Tourism Leadership Academy and obtained his Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) certification through Destinations International, the tourism industry’s highest individual educational achievement.

“We are so proud to acknowledge Lance Woodworth with this prestigious award.” says Melinda Huntley, Executive Director of Ohio Travel Association. “He’s a steadfast advocate and enthusiastic supporter of Toledo, and travel and tourism throughout Ohio. Lance knows the power of this industry and believes in its success.”

Woodworth was recognized at the opening reception at the Ohio Travel Association’s 2024 Ohio Conference on Travel taking place in Toledo, Ohio, October 2-4. The Paul Sherlock Legend in Ohio Travel Award is a peer award selected by a committee consisting of five former Sherlock Award winners, an OTA Awards Committee Chair, and the current Ohio Travel Association board president.