MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The new CEO at Morgantown-based Mylan Park was honored for work in her former role at the recent Governor’s Conference on Tourism.
Former president and CEO of the Visit Mountaineer Country Convention and Visitors Bureau Susan Riddle was named the 2026 Tourism Professional of the Year.
Riddle said anything accomplished was done through teamwork.
“Collaboration is something that is alive and well in Mountaineer Country,” Riddle said. “I’m really blessed to have people along with me on that journey.”
Riddle led Visit Mountaineer Country CVB for 10 years before being named to the position at Mylan back in July.
During that time VMC has developed regional and national partners that have propelled the growth of Mylan Park and the region as a regional tourism destination. Additionally, Riddle has set the example for others to follow that want to pursue a career in the tourism industry.
“Those things do not happen by chance,” Riddle said. “People are looking for synergy, growth, and advancement, and our communities benefit from that in a huge way.”
Riddle said the area has to strive to be excellent not to just improve.
“I’ve been blessed to be put in a place where there are a lot of people that want to do that. West Virginia University couldn’t be a better partner, and Mylan Park could not be a greater partner,” she said.
The first change under her leadership at Mylan Park will be the addition of Mountain Glow West Virginia. For the first time, Mylan Park will host a holiday-themed event for all ages. Details about the event are expected to follow as the holiday season approaches.
“It starts November 27 and runs through December 23. Not every night, but 21 days during that span of time,” Riddle said. “It’s going to be an experiential holiday walk of lights.”
When the temperatures drop and winter weather threatens travel sports, Riddle said this event will leverage the area’s other strength- retail options beautiful scenery.
“This is a time of year where things slow down in north-central West Virginia,” Riddle said. “But at the same time, we happen to be the number one day trip and the number one shopping destination in the region.”