Rules and Regulations
STS Shining Example Categories
Nominations must be received by July 1, 2010
Travel Attraction of the Year Award - This is awarded to an attraction whose work has resulted in a year of notable accomplishment (examples: development of new business markets, substantial growth in revenue or attendance, or special outreach). Nominations should show concrete results; explanations can include descriptions of advertising/promotional campaigns, special celebrations or commemorations.
Convention and Visitors Bureau / Chamber of Commerce / Destination Marketing Organization of the Year Award
Two awards will be given
Category 1: Up to $1 million total budget; or
Category 2: Over $1 million budget
Nominations are evaluated on the overall performance of the organization and should show demonstrable accomplishments through effective tourism marketing (advertising, promotions, public relations, etc.) Nominations should show creativity in design, development and implementation of any projects cited. While nominations can include the history and growth of an organization, the emphasis must be on projects or programs developed or implemented from June 1, 2009, through May 31, 2010.
STS Top 20 Event or Festival of the Year Award
Two awards will be given
Category 1: Attendance below 100,000; or
Category 2: Attendance over 100,000.
This award is for events that have been nominated at least once as an STS Top 20 Event. Nominees include events such as festivals, themed events, community celebrations, holiday programs, home tours and craft festivals. The nominated events should show a high level of organization, event production and community involvement. Factors that can influence selection include attendance growth, innovative marketing and special promotional efforts.
State Tourism Office of the Year Award
Nominations are evaluated on the overall performance of the state tourism office. Nominations should show demonstrable team accomplishments throughout the tourism office including effective tourism marketing (advertising, promotions, public relations, etc.), creativity in design, development and implementation of any new projects. While nominations can include the history and growth of an organization, the emphasis must be on programs (marketing, employee, research, etc.) or projects developed or implemented from June 1, 2009 through May 31, 2010. States that are eligible: Ala., Ark., Fla., Ga., Ky., La., Miss., N.C., S.C., Tenn., Va., W.V.
Governmental Tourism Leadership Award - This award honors an elected official (city, county, state or federal) whose support or influence greatly enhanced the tourism industry. The nominations may include achievements or contributions over the nominee’s entire career or a single accomplishment in the recent past.
Visual Excellence Award - This award will be given to the nominee who shows the best use of video or photography for a destination. To nominate best use of video, full-length destination videos or TV ad clips are permitted. For those nominating a photograph, the nomination should illustrate the appropriate image(s), its layout and how each photo was used in a newspaper, magazine, TV ad, brochure or other promotional material.
Internet Excellence Award - This award recognizes extraordinary performance in digital communication. Nominations should highlight effective online promotions, contests, advertising, editorial communication, social networking and other content. Evaluation factors include results, creativity, innovation and ease of use.
Tourism for Tomorrow Award - This award recognizes the accomplishments of a destination, company or organization in the realm of sustainable tourism. Nominations should illustrate how the nominee promotes tourism development while safeguarding local culture and/or protecting the environment. The connection between development and tourism must be clear.
Rising Star Award - This award recognizes extraordinary on-the-job performance by a person new to the travel and tourism industry. Nominees must work full-time for an STS member organization, and their initial employment in the industry must have come between June 1, 2005 and May 31, 2010. Nominations will be evaluated on leadership, enthusiasm for the industry, innovation, successful programs or events and other performance-related accomplishments. Extra consideration goes to nominees who are involved in the industry outside of their normal employment (examples: participation in industry associations, assistance to mentoring programs for prospective tourism industry employees). Employers, supervisors or colleagues may nominate individuals; self-nominations are acceptable.
RULES FOR ENTRY
- Entries must be received by July 1, 2010
- Entry form must be completed and submitted along with any supporting materials (newspaper articles, advertisements, brochures, photographs or merchandising material).
- A one-page typewritten letter must be included with each entry stating why the nominee is deserving of the award. Be specific.
- There is a fee of $50 for each nomination. Checks are payable to Southeast Tourism Society.
- Nominations may be prepared in house or by an advertising or marketing agency.
- Time period examined is June 1, 2009 through May 31, 2010.
- Any organization can introduce a nomination.
- Only Southeast Tourism Society members are eligible for nomination, except for the STS Top 20 Event category where any past-nominated Top 20 festival or event is eligible.
- 2009’s award winners are not eligible to win again in the same category.
- Entries are judged by a committee of industry peers.
- It is anticipated that one award will be presented in each category. The judges, however, reserve the right to present special awards, honorary mentions, etc. or not to present an award in a particular category.
- Decisions of the judges are final.