Media Release
February 25, 2017 3:38 p.m.
During the 60th Annual Adrian Awards Gala in New York February 21, 2017, the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) and National Geographic Traveler honored the Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) as the Platinum Winner in the special category of Leader in Sustainable Tourism. Out of more than 200 submissions in this category from destination marketing organizations around the world, the CVB’s entry “Clean Beaches and Sea Turtles” was judged to be exceptional by sustainable tourism experts from National Geographic Traveler and HSMAI, and showcased as a model for other destinations. The Amelia Island CVB also won three Silver Awards and one Bronze Award for excellence in tourism marketing, in what is the world’s largest and most prestigious travel marketing competition.
Created in 2010, the Leader in Sustainable Tourism award recognizes demonstrable leadership and innovation in preserving and communicating an authentic sense of place through a wisely managed tourism program. Entries are judged by how their efforts preserved the environmental, cultural, and historic integrity of a destination, and how the program demonstrated leadership, innovation and accomplished its goals.
“This is a testament to the teamwork, commitment and skill required to be a responsible steward of our destination, while still achieving a positive economic impact on the community through tourism,” said Gil Langley, President and CEO of the Amelia Island CVB. “The credit goes to our marketing team members and partners, and to the Nassau County Commission for their leadership in developing a sustainable tourism program for the island.”
Previous winners of the Leader in Sustainable Tourism award include the Santa Monica Convention and Visitors Bureau, Puntacana Resort & Club in the Dominican Republic, and Wilderness Safaris, who won last year for their black rhino conservation efforts in Botswana. The CVB’s winning entry detailed collaborative efforts to protect Amelia Island’s pristine beaches, sea turtles and other wildlife through community education and legislation. National Geographic Traveler magazine will highlight the Amelia Island CVB’s work in their spring issue.
In addition to the Leader in Sustainable Tourism award, the CVB won Silver Awards for Digital Marketing (#LoveAmelia campaign), Partnership with a Major Brand (Harris Teeter promotion) and Special Event (Dickens on Centre), and a Bronze Award for Digital Marketing (All Day Amelia custom itineraries).
“These awards validate our marketing programs as among the best of the best creatively, and, more importantly, for their continued effectiveness,” said Langley.
HSMAI paid tribute to the Amelia Island CVB during the annual HSMAI Adrian Awards Gala, a black-tie affair attended by more than 800 hospitality, travel and tourism marketing executives at the New York Marriott Marquis on Feb. 21, which honors excellence in travel advertising, digital marketing and public relations.
In addition to commending the Amelia Island CVB’s award-winning work, the Gala and dinner reception honored lifetime achievement in travel/hospitality marketing, as well as The HSMAI Top 25: Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality Sales, Marketing, Revenue Optimization. All winning entries will be accessible in the Adrian Awards Winners Gallery online following the gala at www.AdrianAwards.com. Visit the site for more information on the event and competition.
Congratulations Gil. This along with the Financial Report that Shows Amelia Island did 3/4 of a Billion Dollars in Tourism Business in 2016, up by more than 1/4 Billion in a year, is to say the least “Incredible” You and your Team, “Is money in the Bank”