2026 Creative Expression Award Winner: Mariela Aguillon

May 6th, 2026 in Pick Ellijay Events
Mariella Aguillon - Gilmer Tourism Awards 2026 Creative Expression Winner

On May 5th, Tourism & Hospitality professionals from across Gilmer County came together for the second-annual Trailblazers Summit, hosted by Pick Ellijay. We celebrate the people, businesses, and stories that make Gilmer County such a memorable destination. Tourism is built through experiences — but those experiences are created by people. Outstanding members of the community were recognized for their dedication and contributions to tourism in Gilmer County with the Gilmer Tourism Awards.

The Creative Expression Award recognizes a tourism business or professional who has demonstrated exceptional creativity and innovation through an original event, campaign, collaboration, social media strategy, advertisement, or marketing initiative. In today’s tourism landscape, creativity matters. The way we tell our story can inspire someone to visit, return, share, and see Gilmer County in a new way. This year’s Creative Expression recipient helped show what can happen when local storytelling meets creativity, timing, and a deep understanding of social media. It is our honor to announce Mariela Aguillon, Hillcrest Orchards, as the recipient of this year’s Creative Expression Award!

Her work helped establish a TikTok presence for one of Gilmer County’s most recognizable agritourism destinations. She filmed, edited, contributed ideas, and played an instrumental role in creating content that reached far beyond our county lines. The results were remarkable. In just three months, the campaign generated approximately 2.5 million views, more than 300,000 likes, and 13,000 new followers. But the impact was bigger than numbers. The content used humor, trends, and information to highlight the orchard experience, Ellijay agritourism, and the personality of our destination.

This level of reach does not just promote one business. It introduces new audiences to the spirit of Ellijay. It shows visitors that our orchards are not only places to pick apples or enjoy a seasonal tradition. They are places full of personality, creativity, family, humor, and hospitality. Mariella helped turn everyday moments into destination storytelling — and helped remind us that one creative idea, shared well, can carry Gilmer County’s story far beyond the mountains.

Congratulations to Mariella Aguillon, recipient of the 2026 Creative Expression Award!

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