Innovation drives progress and sets exceptional organizations apart in the tourism industry. This award honors those who have implemented original, forward-thinking strategies that enhance the visitor experience and distinguish their offerings from the competition.

Nominees should highlight how they’ve embraced new ideas, creative solutions, or technological advancements to improve customer engagement, streamline operations, and elevate overall performance. Share how you’ve developed new experiences or reimagined existing ones to better serve visitors. Have you introduced tools or tactics that solved emerging challenges or uncovered untapped opportunities? Tell us how your innovative approach has made a measurable impact—and inspired the evolution of tourism in New Jersey.

Strategic marketing is vital to attracting visitors and strengthening New Jersey’s tourism industry. This award recognizes organizations that have demonstrated outstanding creativity, effectiveness, and innovation in their marketing efforts.

Nominees should share the strategies they’ve used to successfully reach and resonate with their target audiences. How have you leveraged social media, digital platforms, and traditional channels to build brand awareness, drive engagement, and increase visitation? What data and performance metrics have guided your decisions and helped optimize your campaigns?

Tell us about any standout promotions or creative campaigns that generated buzz, inspired travel, and delivered measurable results. This is your opportunity to showcase how your marketing efforts have contributed to the growth and visibility of New Jersey as a must-visit destination.

Strong partnerships are essential to the continued growth and resilience of New Jersey’s tourism industry. This award honors organizations that have successfully collaborated with others to create meaningful, impactful connections that enhance the visitor experience and strengthen the local economy.

Nominees should highlight partnerships formed with local businesses, community organizations, or regional stakeholders that have helped drive tourism and build a sense of place. How have these collaborations delivered mutual benefits—supporting your goals while enriching the broader community?

Share how you’ve partnered within and beyond the tourism sector to develop unique offerings, cross-promote destinations, or launch creative initiatives that elevate New Jersey as a premier travel destination.

Earned media and strategic public relations play a vital role in raising awareness and building credibility for tourism organizations. This award recognizes outstanding PR efforts that have significantly increased visibility and enhanced the public perception of a destination, event, or experience.

Nominees should describe how they developed and executed a public relations campaign to generate media coverage beyond paid advertising. What strategies and tactics were used to tell your story, engage the media, and capture public attention? What was the overall reach and impact of the campaign, and how does it compare in value to traditional advertising?

Highlight the results—whether through increased visitation, enhanced brand reputation, or meaningful media placements—that demonstrate the power of your public relations success.