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