The annual Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations (ESTO) features awards that spotlight the most forward-thinking and effective destination marketing campaigns across the country.
“We are beyond proud to see Cabarrus Burger Madness recognized as best-in-class among so many outstanding destinations and brilliant ideas,” said Cabarrus County CVB President and CEO Donna Carpenter. “This tremendous achievement is the result of our team’s passion, the commitment and creativity of our partners, and the enthusiasm of our community and visitors. The Explore Cabarrus team shares this honor with all the burger fans out there and we look forward to continuing the madness next year.”
The Bridging Communities award category recognizes a marketing initiative or destination-led program that demonstrates travel’s positive impact on local communities through economic vitality, resident engagement or crisis response and recovery.
Launched in 2021 to support local restaurants enduring impacts of the pandemic, Cabarrus Burger Madness features exclusive burgers from participating restaurants across Cabarrus County. Held annually from March 1-31, this friendly competition showcases the creativity of local chefs and gives diners exciting new dishes to try. Using the free mobile pass, diners can track their culinary adventures and check in at restaurants along the way, unlocking the opportunity to vote for their favorite entry.
In 2026, the sixth annual competition saw passholders from 14 states, and participating restaurants sold a combined 9,500 specialty burgers.
Cabarrus Burger Madness will return in March 2027. Diners can stay tuned to ExploreCabarrus.com/BurgerMadness for details.
To learn more about the Cabarrus County CVB, go to CabCoCVB.com.
About the Cabarrus County Convention and Visitors Bureau
As the official destination marketing organization for Cabarrus County, North Carolina, the CCCVB is dedicated to promoting Cabarrus County as a visitor destination and enhancing the complete visitor experience. We also represent and support the interests of the local tourism industry and promote public awareness of the importance of tourism. For more, visit CabCoCVB.com or connect with Explore Cabarrus on social media.
About Cabarrus County, NC
Cabarrus County is in south-central North Carolina in the Piedmont region, about 30 minutes north of Charlotte. The area encompasses five municipalities: the cities of Concord and Kannapolis, and towns of Harrisburg, Midland, and Mount Pleasant. Known as a hub of engaging experiences, Cabarrus County is home to premier motorsports entertainment, shopping, family-friendly attractions, outdoor adventures, historic sites, charming downtowns, and more. Visit ExploreCabarrus.com to learn more.
