
NTA Awards
NTA’s awards honor its members and industry leaders who have made significant and meaningful contributions to our association and/or the tourism industry overall. Awards are presented annually at Travel Exchange unless otherwise noted.
The NTA Board makes the final determination on the recipients of the following awards:
- Bob Everidge Lifetime Achievement
- Pioneer
- Woman of Vision
- James D. Santini
- Young Professional
- Volunteer of the Year *
*Volunteer of the Year nominated by NTA staff and approved by the NTA Board
Pioneer Award
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).
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, ITMIWoman of Vision Award
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.
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 AssociationYoung Professionals
The Young Professionals Award recognizes a hard working NTA member under the age of 40.
Criteria
- Only one candidate per organization
- 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 NTA Board of Directors will select the winners, and awards will be presented at Travel Exchange.
Past recipients
2017 | St. Louis
- Dave Nitkiewicz, Experience Grand Rapids
- Fraser Neave, Wells Gray Tours Ltd.
- Lisa Itel, Travel Oregon
- LouAnna Henton, Nashville CVB
- Michelle Tupman, Great Canadian Holidays Inc.
2017 | San Antonio
- Christina Werner, Custom Holidays
- Melissa McClure, Visit Fairfax
- Peter Waugh, Broadway Inbound
- Roger Dudley, Experience Columbus
- Stephanie Dilling, Wells Gray Tours
2018 | Milwaukee
- Amanda Hinzmann, Ed-Ventures
- Ashley Kingman, Travel Portland
- Holly Rogers, Explore St. Louis
- Marcus Sarmiento, OK Tours
- Nicole Absher, Destination Gettysburg
2019 | Fort Worth
- Kalynne Defever
2023 | Shreveport
- Brittany Dykla, Brilliant Edventures
Bob Everidge Lifetime Achievement Award
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, CTPJames D. Santini Award
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 CavernsVolunteer of the Year Award
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

I can help!Dawn Pettus dawn.pettus@ntastaff.com+1.859.264.6567
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