U.S. Travel Honors Destination Entrepreneurs with 2025 ESTO Awards

U.S. Travel Association introduced recipients of the 2025 ESTO Awards on the forty first annual ESTO convention, held August 17-19 in Phoenix, Arizona. Winners had been introduced Monday night on the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge.

“The ESTO Awards highlight exceptional creativity in destination marketing while showcasing the commitment to inspire visitation through thoughtful, innovative methods,” mentioned Ellen Davis, U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President, Business Strategy and Industry Engagement. “Our destination community tirelessly works to grow travel, fueling local economies and communities. Congratulations to all this year’s award winners.” 

Honors in a number of classes had been awarded to have a good time excellence and creativity in vacation spot advertising and marketing and provoking visitation, a important element of the continued development of the journey business.

Destination Awards honor vacation spot advertising and marketing workplaces (DMOs) that push the boundaries of promoting and promotion. State Awards acknowledge state and territory tourism workplaces for standout vacation spot advertising and marketing initiatives. A panel of 60 esteemed advertising and marketing consultants chosen this yr’s honorees.

Congratulations to this yr’s ESTO Awards winners:

Destination Awards

• All Ways Welcome: Destination Ann Arbor for “Ann Arbor’s Accessibility Initiative: Empowering Inclusive Travel Through Storytelling and Strategy” 
   
• Bridging Communities: Explore Asheville for “Through it all, We’re Always Asheville: Explore Asheville Leads Hurricane Helene Relief with Amplified Events Fueling Recovery and the Always Asheville Fund”
   
• Excellence in Print Marketing: Visit St. Pete-Clearwater for “2024-2025 Gulf to Bay Magazine”
   
• Digital Brilliance: Martin County Office of Tourism & Marketing for “Explore Natural Martin Video Series”
   
• Innovation: Visit Newport Beach for “Newport Beach is Calling”
   
• Buzz-worthy: Visit Oakland for “Oakland Named ‘#1 Best Food City in the U.S. in 2024’ by the Readers of Condé Nast Traveler Magazine”
   
• Immersive Experiences: Port Aransas Tourism Bureau & Chamber of Commerce for “Find What You Need in Port A guerrilla marketing campaign”
   
• Marketing Momentum Award: Overall DMO Marketing Budget Less Than or Equal to $5 Million: Destination Cleveland for “Have Your Day in Cleveland”
   
• Marketing Momentum Award: Overall DMO Marketing Budget More Than $5 Million: Destination DC for “There’s Only One DC” 
   

State Awards 

• All Ways Welcome: Tennessee Department of Tourist Development for “Sound Sites”
   
• Bridging Communities: Kansas Tourism for “Sunflower Summer”
   
• Excellence in Print Marketing: Travel Nevada for “Nevada Adventure Guide by Travel Nevada”
   
• Digital Brilliance: Pure Michigan for “On the Clock in Detroit: Sam’s Selects”
   
• Buzz-worthy: Explore Minnesota for “Bring Ya A** to Minnesota: Seizing on a Sports Marketing Viral Sensation for the State”
   
• Immersive Experiences: Arkansas Tourism for “Bringing The Natural State to The Windy City”
   
• Marketing Momentum Award: Overall State Marketing Budget More Than $10 Million: Explore Minnesota for “Star of the North – Spring/Summer Tourism”
   

View the full 2025 ESTO Award winners gallery.

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The Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations (ESTO) is an annual convention for vacation spot advertising and marketing professionals from metropolis, regional and state tourism workplaces. Each yr the convention is held in a unique vacation spot and options instructional periods, networking alternatives and business awards.

Also on the ESTO Awards, Diane Shober, govt director for the Wyoming Office of Tourism, was named the 2025 State Tourism Director of the Year. ESTO 2026 might be held in Philadelphia, August 25-27, 2026.