2023 New York State Tourism Excellence Awards Recipients Announced

TROY, NY – The New York State Tourism Industry Association (NYSTIA) today announced the recipients of the 2023 NYS Tourism Excellence Awards. The outstanding work of New York State's destination marketing organizations, attractions, and other tourism-related businesses in all forms of marketing, destination management and stewardship are recognized through this annual awards program. The organizations, businesses, institutions, and individuals will honored at a special ceremony at the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York on September 14, 2023 as part of the 2023 NYSTIA Annual meeting.

This year’s New York State Tourism Excellence Awards include multiple new awards categories to acknowledge the critical work done in advancing the areas of sustainability, DEAI (diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion), international marketing, travel itineraries, and promoting the great outdoors of New York State. The pool of awards nominations was extraordinarily competitive, surpassing 2022’s total by 40%.

"The outstanding work of New York State's tourism professionals contributed significantly to the post-COVID resurgence of New York State's tourism industry,” remarked Kelly Curtin, Board Chair of the New York State Tourism Industry Association. “The efforts of both the 2023 New York State Tourism Excellence Award nominees and recipients epitomize the concept of best practice destination marketing, management and stewardship. My admiration and congratulations to all!"

The New York State Tourism Excellence Awards are open to all New York State tourism marketers and are juried by an impartial panel of industry experts under the auspices of the New York State Tourism Industry Association. Nominees spanned every corner of New York State and judges were challenged by the diversity and quality of the entries.

“The campaigns, initiatives, and projects submitted for the 2023 Tourism Excellence Awards illustrate the world-class work being done by New York's tourism professionals," observed Bob Provost, President of the New York State Tourism Industry Association. "The caliber of the work nominated this year, coupled with the 40% YOY increase in nominations challenged the judges who reviewed and scored this year's entries. Thank you to the Tourism Excellence Awards Committee and judges Josiah Brown, Dr. Kelly Cerialo, Bridget Cerrone, Corey Fram, Todd Garofano, Nikita Jankowski, Danae Jones, Dana Krueger, Joanna Militello, Olga Tirado, Jaclyn Yost, and the Committee Chair, Sarah Foster Calero, and Co-Chair, Haley Coriaty. A note of thanks also to Rachele Markle, NYSTIA staff liaison to the committee."

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Award Recipients are recognized in the following format: 

“Nominee/Campaign Name” from Organization Name
Award Category: Subcategory
- Budget (if applicable)

“Leisure Travel in NY” from Advance Media New York on behalf Amtrak NY

            Excellence in Overall Tourism Marketing: Regional or Statewide

“Dutchess Tourism” from Dutchess Tourism, Inc.

Excellence in Overall Tourism Marketing: TPA/County/DMO Local Level

• • • Budget Over $500,000

“‘Let’s Go Greene’ 2022 Marketing Campaign” from Workshop on behalf of Greene County Tourism and Film Commission (“The Great Northern Catskills of Greene County”)

Excellence in Overall Tourism Marketing: TPA/County/DMO Local Level

• • • Budget Under $500,000

“Seasonal Abandon Site Emails” from Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST)

Excellence in Tourism Marketing Campaigns, Projects & Programs: Creative Use of Data to Drive Success

“Holiday/Winter Campaign” from Dutchess Tourism, Inc.

Excellence in Tourism Marketing Campaigns, Projects & Programs: Digital Marketing Campaign

• • • Budget Over $500,000

“Miss New York Destination Experience by Rail” from New York By Rail

Excellence in Tourism Marketing Campaigns, Projects & Programs: Digital Marketing Campaign

• • • Budget Under $500,000

“Zen Finder Outdoor Experience Trail” from Dutchess Tourism, Inc.

Excellence in Tourism Marketing Campaigns, Projects & Programs: The Great Outdoors of New York State

• • • Budget Over $500,000

 
“Fall Fishing Program: ‘More Water = More Fish’”, from NYS Canal Corporation and Orleans County Tourism

Excellence in Tourism Marketing Campaigns, Projects & Programs: The Great Outdoors of New York State

• • • Budget Under $500,000

“Pretty.Cool.” from Dutchess Tourism, Inc. 

Excellence in Tourism Marketing Campaigns, Projects & Programs: Innovations & Strategies to Address New/Unique/Changing Markets

• • • Budget Over $500,000

 
“Adirondack Experience BIPOC Marketing Efforts” from Workshop on behalf of Adirondack Experience

Excellence in Tourism Marketing Campaigns, Projects & Programs: Innovations & Strategies to Address New/Unique/Changing Markets

• • • Budget Under $500,000

“Visit Syracuse Visitors Guide” from Visit Syracuse/Visit Syracuse Film

Excellence in Tourism Marketing Campaigns, Projects & Programs: Printed Materials

• • • Budget Over $500,000

“NYUp Travel Guide - Summer” from Advance Media New York

Excellence in Tourism Marketing Campaigns, Projects & Programs: Printed Materials

• • • Budget Under $500,000

“Visit Nyack, Inc.” from Visit Nyack, Inc.

Excellence in Tourism Marketing Campaigns, Projects & Programs: Public Relations Campaign

“Cortland Curiosities: A Strange & Forgotten History Trail” from Cortland County Convention & Visitors Bureau

Excellence in Tourism Marketing Campaigns, Projects & Programs: Trails & Itineraries

• • • Budget Over $500,000

“Barn Quilt Trail of Leroy” from Genesee County Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center

Excellence in Tourism Marketing Campaigns, Projects & Programs: Trails & Itineraries

• • • Budget Under $500,000

 
“Community Tourism Enhancement Fund” from Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST)

Excellence in Tourism Stewardship: Shaping a Better Future

• • • Budget Over $500,000

“2022 Saratoga 250 Branding and Logo” from Workshop on behalf of Saratoga County

Excellence in Tourism Stewardship: Shaping a Better Future

• • • Budget Under $500,000

Valerie Knoblauch, Finger Lakes Visitors Connection

Excellence in Leadership: Career/Lifetime Achievement

Claire Dunlap, Cayuga County CVB

Excellence in Young Professional Leadership

Charlie Daley, co-founder the Destinations of New York State Scholarship Fund

The New Yorker Award

“Cayuga County CVB” from Cayuga County CVB

            Excellence in Tourism Equity & Inclusion

“Akwesasne Travel” from Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe

Excellence in Sustainable Stewardship: Champions of Change

“Wine, Water and Wonders of New York State” from Wine, Water and Wonders of New York State

Excellence in International Tourism Marketing: New York Tourism Ambassador

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About New York State Tourism Industry Association:

The New York State Tourism Industry Association (NYSTIA) is a member-driven, 501(c)6 nonprofit organization at the vanguard of transformational tourism marketing, stewardship and long-term strategic planning. We assist our members in advancing responsible economic growth, creating jobs, revitalizing communities, supporting small business success, and increasing state and local tax revenues in order to improve the standard of living, quality of life and pride of place for New York State communities and residents. We achieve these goals by facilitating the success of our members in realizing the economic potential of New York State's tourism industry as a catalyst for collaborative initiatives, exceptional marketing programs, industry research and legislative awareness for the private sector of New York State's tourism industry. www.nystia.org