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Learn Tourism Awards

10 years of Celebrating the Future of Tourism, Together

A decade of shared learning deserves more than applause. It deserves a spotlight. Introducing the Learn Tourism Awards – three new honors recognizing the destinations, organizations, and leaders shaping a smarter, more human travel economy. Built by educators and grounded in real outcomes, these awards celebrate impact, innovation, and learning that you can measure, share, and scale.

Why these awards, why now

For ten years, the DIY Tourism and Learn Tourism communities have moved ideas into action. These awards are the natural next step – recognizing the people and projects that prove tourism can be transformational for places and people. They align with our promise of transformation, engagement, and accessibility, and with our three learning tracks: Marketing & Tech, Visitor Services &  Experience, and Leadership & Local Impact.

Let’s celebrate the Power of Learning

The Awards

The Transformative Tourism Award

Our marquee honor. This award celebrates measurable, meaningful impact on a community or region—work that improves lives, strengthens local economies, and tells a bigger story about what tourism can do.
What judges look for: clear outcomes, strong community partnerships, equitable benefits, and data that shows real change over time.
Who should apply: DMOs, CVBs, nonprofits, public-private partnerships, and collaborative initiatives with demonstrated results.
Why it matters: Winners set the bar for the industry and earn recognition worthy of a press release.

The Innovation with Integrity Award

Future-forward without losing your soul. This award recognizes smart use of technology that honors people, culture, and place.
What judges look for: human-centered design, accessibility, ethical data use, and measurable improvements to visitor or resident experience.
Who should apply: DMOs, vendors, agencies, or collaborations that deploy tech thoughtfully (AI, data, platforms, or tools) in service of human outcomes.
Why it matters: It validates innovation that’s as principled as it is powerful.

The Learning Leader Award

Training is strategy. This award honors organizations that invest in people and prove it with outcomes—skills raised, teams empowered, service improved.
What judges look for: clear learning objectives, strong participation, inclusive delivery, and post-training results you can see in the real world.
Who should apply: DMOs, hospitality brands, attractions, higher-ed or workforce partners building learning cultures.
Why it matters: Winners model the educator-built ethos at the core of Learn Tourism.

Be Part of the Tradition We’re Building

These awards aren’t an add-on. They’re a tradition in the making. By recognizing impact, innovation, and learning, we’re celebrating the kind of industry we all want to grow. If your work lights the path for others, we want to see it.

Nominations open soon. Bring your best. We’ll bring the spotlight.

Eligibility and Submissions

  • Who can enter: Destinations, nonprofits, public agencies, vendors, agencies, and cross-sector collaborations. Self and peer-nominations are welcome.

  • What to submit: A short online form with a project summary, outcomes, partners, and supporting links or files. An optional two-minute video welcome.

  • How categories align: Each entry should indicate which learning track it best represents: Marketing & Tech, Visitor Services & Experience, or Leadership & Local Impact.

Tip: Show, don’t tell. Include before/after metrics, testimonials, or media that bring the story to life.

Award Submission Details

Judging Criteria

Entries are reviewed by an educator-led panel using a transparent rubric:

  • Impact: measurable results, equity, community benefit
  • Integrity: ethical practices, accessibility, inclusivity
  • Innovation: originality, adaptability, scalability
  • Learning: knowledge transfer, workforce development, longevity
  • Clarity: strength of narrative, evidence, and presentation

Timeline

Awards Announcement: as part of our 10-year milestone celebration

  • Nominations Open: [Date]
  • Nominations Close: [Date]
  • Finalists Announced: [Date]
  • Winners Revealed: Live at the Learn Tourism Conference in Richmond, VA

(We’ll publish exact dates with the nomination form. Get your stories ready now.)

What Winners Receive

  • On-stage recognition at the Learn Tourism Conference
  • A digital press kit and media spotlight to amplify your story
  • Featured case study in our post-conference content and webinar series
  • Bragging rights, and a platform to mentor peers across the industry

How to Prepare Your Entry

  • Frame the “why.” What problem did you solve and for whom.
  • Share the “how.” Partnerships, tools, and choices that mattered.
  • Prove the “so what.” Results, data, and community impact, big or small.
  • Point to the future. What’s next and how others can replicate it.

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