NTA Awards

The Pioneer Award honors individuals whose accomplishments have resulted in a significant change in the travel industry from which NTA and its members (specifically tour operators) have benefited. (It’s not required to be an NTA member). Email your nominations to NTA’s Dawn Pettus.

Criteria

All nominees should have played an active role in pioneering a significant change in the travel industry that benefited the industry as a whole, NTA, and its members.

Nomination & Selection Process

NTA Board will review all nominations and select an honoree if it determines all qualifications were met.

Past recipients

2006: Charles “Chuck” West, Westours and Cruise West, first recipient (given posthumously)
2007: Earl Harmon, Harmon Travel, Boise, ID (given posthumously)
2008: Kirk Lanterman, Holland America Line,  and Arthur C. Tauck Jr., Tauck World Discovery
2009: Gordon Bell, Three Valley Gap Heritage Ghost Town and Chateau Three Valley Lake (given posthumously) and Sam Farr, California Congressman
2010: Bob Whitley (given posthumously)
2011: Bruce Beckham, CTP, Tourism Cares
2013: Dan Dipert, Dan Dipert Tours
2014: Sen. Mark Begich
2015: Christopher L. Thompson, Brand USA
2016: Georgiana Clark, Roaring Camp Railroads
2017: Terry MacRae, Hornblower Cruises & Events
2018: Isabel Hill, U.S. Department of Commerce
2019: Ted Bravos, CTP, ITMI

Woman of Vision Award honors a woman in travel and tourism who has contributed significantly to the growth and prosperity of the industry as a whole and NTA specifically. This award is given in honor of the trailblazing women who played an integral part in the formation of NTA and paved the way for others to follow. This award was presented for the first time in 2018. Email your nominations to NTA’s Dawn Pettus.

Criteria

• Holds or has held a leadership position within her company or organization.
• Serves as a mentor or role model to other women in the travel industry.
• Through her ideas and foresight has led significant improvements and advancements within the industry.
• Consistently conducted herself in a manner consistent with the ethics, quality and sense of community espoused by NTA.

Nomination & Selection Process

• Any person employed by an NTA member company is eligible to make a nomination.
• At minimum, a nomination should include a brief narrative (approximately 250 words) about the nominee. Additional information or material may be included with the narrative.
• The NTA Board of Directors will review all nominations and make a final determination as to the recipient.

Past Recipients

2018: Cathy Greteman, CTP, Star Destinations
2019: Kate Simpson, Academic Travel Abroad
2023: Dawnielle Tehama, Willamette Valley Visitors Association

The Young Professionals Award recognizes a hard working NTA member under the age of 40. Email your nominations to NTA’s Dawn Pettus.

Criteria

• Only one candidate per organization, nominated by supervisor
• Demonstrates commitment and passion for the industry
• Recognized for leadership and efforts beyond their job
• Attended at least one NTA event (Travel Exchange, Contact, Meet-up, Destination Capitol Hill)

Nomination & Selection Process

The committee will oversee the call for nominations and select the winners with final approval from the NTA Board of Directors. Awards will be presented at Travel Exchange during a luncheon. Award winners will be published in Courier.

Past recipients

2017 | St. Louis

1. Dave Nitkiewicz, Experience Grand Rapids
2. Fraser Neave, Wells Gray Tours Ltd.
3. Lisa Itel, Travel Oregon
4. LouAnna Henton, Nashville CVB
5. Michelle Tupman, Great Canadian Holidays Inc.

2017 | San Antonio

1. Christina Werner, Custom Holidays
2. Melissa McClure, Visit Fairfax
3. Peter Waugh, Broadway Inbound
4. Roger Dudley, Experience Columbus
5. Stephanie Dilling, Wells Gray Tours

2018 | Milwaukee

1. Amanda Hinzmann, Ed-Ventures
2. Ashley Kingman, Travel Portland
3. Holly Rogers, Explore St. Louis
4. Marcus Sarmiento, OK Tours
5. Nicole Absher, Destination Gettysburg

2019 | Fort Worth

1. Kalynne Defever

2023 | Shreveport

1. Brittany Dykla, Brilliant Edventures

The Bob Everidge Lifetime Achievement Award was created to recognize and honor individuals who have made outstanding lifetime contributions to NTA and its members.

Eligibility

The award is presented to an individual whose personal and professional contributions to NTA and its members have spanned a minimum of 20 years.

Criteria

• Active dedication to the mission of NTA and the best interests of its members
• Extensive volunteer contributions to NTA and its members
• Consistently conducted himself/herself in a manner consistent with the ethics, quality and sense of community espoused by NTA

Nomination & Selection Process

NTA Board will review all nominations and select an honoree if it determines all qualifications are met.

Past Recipients

2003: Lois Anderson, Gadabout Tours
2004: Bill Shepler,  Shepler’s Macinaw Ferry
2005: Jim Santini,  NTA legislative representative
2006: John Shaffer, Luray Caverns
2007: Pete Anderson, formerly of Maupintour, and Jim Host, founder of Host Communications
2008: Ann Thomas, CTP, Western Discovery
2009: Ruth McKinney, CTP, formerly of Good Will Tours
2010: John Stachnik, CTP, Mayflower Tours
2011: Mikie Wall, CTP, Cape Fear Coast CVB
2013: Ed Dresel, Destinations Unlimited
2015: Suzanne Slavitter, Sports Empire Inc. & Red Hot Celebrations; Steve Richer (NTA public affairs advocate)
2016: Mark Hoffmann, CTP, Sports Leisure Vacations
2017: Paul Nakamoto, Aquarium of the Bay
2018: Bruce Beckham, CTP, formerly of Tourism Cares
2019: Jay Smith, Sports Travel and Tours
2021: Jim Warren, CTP, Anderson Vacations
2023: Roland Neave, CTP, Wells Gray Tours; and the late Ed Hall, CTP

The James D. Santini Award recognizes members who have made significant contributions to NTA’s advocacy efforts. The late Santini, who was NTA’s legislative counsel for 25 years, served four terms in the U.S. Congress as the only member of the House of Representatives from Nevada. He was a founder and the first secretary/treasurer of the U.S. Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus in the House. Criteria

• An NTA member in good standing
• Active dedication to the mission of NTA and the best interests of its members
• Conducts himself/herself in a manner consistent with the ethics, quality and sense of community espoused by NTA
• An active contributer to NTA’s TourPAC fund
• Significant contributions and/or raise awarenessto NTA’s advocacy efforts
• Substantial role in influencing and impacting legislation

Nomination & Selection Process

• Nominations will be sought from the NTA membership, Board of Directors and the Advocacy Advisory Group.
• At minimum, a nomination should include a brief narrative (approximately 100-250 words) about the nominee. Additional information may be included with the narrative.
• The NTA Board of Directors will review nominations and select an award winner.

Past Recipients

2010: Neil Amrine
2012: Mark Hoffmann, CTP
2013: Patti Culp
2014: Keith Griffall, CTP
2016: Brian Butterworth
2017: Tom Jaffa, CTP, Jaffa Tour & Receptive Services
2018: Tom Armstrong, Tauck
2019: Pam Inman, CTP, and John Shaffer, Luray Caverns

The Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes and honors individuals who volunteer their time to NTA for the benefit of its members.

Eligibility

Any NTA member volunteer (examples: at annual convention, by serving on a committee, a champion for NTA).

Criteria

Extensive volunteer contributions to NTA and its members

Nomination & Selection Process

• Nominations sought from NTA staff based on work with members.
• NTA Board reviews recommendation and makes final determination as to the honoree.

Past Recipients

2007: Clayton Whitehead, CTP, Sports Leisure Vacations
2008: Barb Bowman, Grand Junction VCB
2009: Theresa Krieg, The Carolina Opry
2010: Scott Hartcorn, Shilo Inns Suites Hotels
2011: Ed Hall, VisitRochester
2013: Olga Ramudo, Express Travel
2013: Katrina White, Rhode Island Tourism Division
2014: Paul Larsen, Ed-Ventures Inc. & Tom Jaffa, CTP, Jaffa Travel & Receptive Services
2015: Laura Elkin, Crescent Hotels & Resorts
2016: Michael Weinberg, CTP, Hiltons of Chicago
2017 St. Louis: Patti Culp, Alabama Travel Council
2017 San Antonio: Renee Eichelberger, CTP, Explore St. Louis
2018: Rich Gilbert, Maryland Office of Tourism Development
2019: Agustin Caparros, A Closer Look Tours
2023: Frances Manzitto, Visit Clarksville

NTA’s Shining Star Award recognizes an organization that has made a significant contribution (financial or otherwise) to NTA. Potential recipients could include (but not be limited to) sponsors, corporate partners, strategic partners and members).

Criteria

• The organization has a strong level of support in the current year.
• The organization has a history of involvement in and support of NTA.

Nomination & Selection Process

• Nominations sought from NTA staff based on work with members.
• NTA Board reviews recommendation and makes final determination as to the honoree.

Past Recipients

2010: Broadway.com/Groups
2011: Team Texas
2013: Best Western International
2014: State of Alaska
2015: Visit California
2016: Aon
2017 St. Louis: Travel Oregon and Travel Portland
2017 San Antonio: Broadway Inbound
2018: Norwegian Cruise Line
2019: Visit Anchorage