Excellence in Tourism Awards

2021 Excellence in Tourism Award Recipients

The 2021 awards were presented Monday, December 6 at Navy Pier, Chicago, Illinois. Please select this link to read more about the conference and awards.

Best in Show

Illinois Restaurant Association

Best PR Campaign

Navy Pier, the beach Chicago

Best International Marketing

Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau, Route 66

Best Printed Collateral

Division A - ILLINOISouth, ILLINOISouth Kids Activity Book Series
Division B - Great Rivers Country, Antiques in Illinois

Best Tourism Marketing

Division A: The Art Institute of Chicago, Andy Warhol - From A to B and Back Again
Division B: Lakeview Chamber of Commerce, Wrigleyville Wonderland

Best Cooperative Partnership

Division A: Visit Lake County CVB, Six Flags Great America and Lincolnshire Marriott Resort
Division B: Sports Illinois, Sports Huddle 2019

Best Branding Initiative

Division A: Rockford Area CVB, 2019 International Table Tennis Federation North American Olympic Table Tennis Trials
Division B: [TIE] Elgin Area CVB, Ring Around Elgin Galesburg CVB, Experience Galesburg Rebrand

Best Website

Division A: Choose Chicago
Division B: Elgin area CVB, Explore Elgin Website

Best Event or Festival

Division A: Illinois Restaurant Association, Chicago Gourmet
Division B: The Joliet Area Historical Museum, A Night Behind Bars

Best Social Media Marketing

Division A: Galena CVB, Facebook Milestone Galena
Division B: Quincy Area CVB, Best Postcard Pic FB Contest + Inside Guide

Best Niche Targeting

Division A: Heritage Corridor CVB, 2019 Heritage Corridor Ale Trail
Division B: (TIE) Ottawa Visitors Center, Local Food Restaurant Week Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition, History in Your Backyard