Visit Savannah communicators win inaugural PRSA Women of Impact awards

Visit Savannah’s Supriya Christopher and Tanvi Chauhan were honored Aug. 6 in Chicago at PRSA’s first Women of Impact Awards, highlighting the team behind Savannah and Tybee Island’s destination storytelling. The recognition underscores how public relations work is helping shape the region’s visibility and reputation nationwide.

Why it matters: - The awards spotlight communications leaders whose work helps shape how destinations, organizations and industries are seen by national audiences. - For Visit Savannah, the honors reinforce the role public relations plays in promoting Savannah and Tybee Island to travelers, meeting planners and media. - The recognition also elevates two women at different stages of their careers, which PRSA framed as part of building the next generation of communications leadership.

What happened: - Visit Savannah Director of Public Relations Supriya Christopher received the PRSA Women of Impact Award in the Travel & Tourism category. - Visit Savannah Communications Manager Tanvi Chauhan received the Rising Star Award. - PRSA presented the honors during the Women of Impact Summit & Awards on Aug. 6 at the Union League Club of Chicago. - The awards are the inaugural Women of Impact Awards from the Public Relations Society of America.

The details: - PRSA says the awards celebrate women whose leadership, innovation and influence strengthen organizations, advance the communications profession and create opportunities for others. - Honorees came from a range of career stages and practice areas across the country. - Christopher leads Visit Savannah’s earned media strategy for leisure travel and meetings and conventions. - Christopher’s work positions Savannah and Tybee Island before regional, national and international audiences. - Christopher has more than 30 years of communications experience. - Christopher’s background includes broadcast journalism, public affairs, government relations and strategic communications. - Since joining Visit Savannah, Christopher has helped secure high-profile media coverage for the destination. - That coverage has highlighted Savannah’s history, culture, culinary scene, hospitality and visitor experiences. - Chauhan supports Visit Savannah’s media relations, destination storytelling and strategic communications. - Chauhan’s work connects journalists with the people, places and experiences that distinguish Savannah and Tybee Island.

Between the lines: - The awards give Visit Savannah a national platform for internal talent as well as the destination itself. - Christopher’s and Chauhan’s honors suggest the organization sees communications as a core part of destination marketing, not just a support function. - PRSA Chair Heide Harrell said the inaugural honorees show leadership is measured by the people leaders inspire, mentor and empower. - Harrell also said the recipients’ vision, integrity and commitment to excellence are strengthening the communications profession and opening doors for future leaders.

What's next: - Visit Savannah is likely to continue leaning on earned media and destination storytelling as it promotes Savannah and Tybee Island. - The recognition may further strengthen the visibility of the organization’s public relations team in future campaigns and industry discussions. - More information is available from Visit Savannah at VisitSavannah.com and PRSA at PRSA.org.

The bottom line: - The awards mark a national nod to the communications work behind Savannah’s tourism brand, while also recognizing two leaders helping shape that story.