Kevin Costello developed a thriving tourism plan for the county.

Botetourt County Tourism Coordinator, Kevin Costello, has resigned his position to assume the duties of Executive Director of the Abingdon Convention and Visitors Bureau, starting August 1.

In five years, Costello built a tourism program for Botetourt from scratch. The Wine Trail, Downtowns of Botetourt, and the Upper James River Water Trail were notable accomplishments. The first event of the Wine Trail Summer Concert series he created attracted 900 people. He developed an award-winning website and brought more than $200,000 in grant money to support his projects.

He built working partnerships with local organizations, serving on the boards or as an officer in such groups as: the Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Shenandoah Valley Travel Association, Southeast Tourism Society, Wilderness Road, Fish Virginia First and numerous others.
Costello feels the new position is an opportunity to move forward with his personal tourism career plan. He will oversee a staff of seven, manage a larger budget, and will support the local visitor center. Working for the Town of Abingdon, he will market special events such as the Highland Festival, the Heartwood Artisan Center and the Barter Theater.

Botetourt County staff has initiated a search for Costello’s replacement. The County Administrator hopes to have a new Tourism Coordinator on board in August.

For more information, contact

Gerald A. Burgess, County Administrator
(540) 473-8223

Richard “Pete” Peters, Director of Parks, Recreation and Tourism
(540) 473-8326