U.S. Travel Association awarded the winners of Mercury and Destiny awards, State Tourism Director of the Year and DMO Rising Star at 2014 ESTO conference

South Dakota’s Jim Hagen Named 2014 State Tourism Director of the Year

LOUISVILLE, KY, 2014-8-29 — /Travel PR News/ — Winners of the 2014 Mercury and Destiny awards, State Tourism Director of the Year and DMO Rising Star were announced during the U.S. Travel Association’s annual ESTO conference held this week in Louisville.

Mercury and Destiny Awards

The Mercury awards are given to state tourism offices by the National Council of State Tourism Directors (NCSTD) and the Destiny awards are given to destination marketing organizations at the local and regional levels by the Destinations Council. A total of 25 awards were given in 25 categories. Both programs recognize members for excellence and creative accomplishment in tourism marketing and promotion, and for continually raising the bar for quality and innovation in destination marketing programs.

This year the awards were judged by JWT, an internationally recognized marketing and communications firm. Judges offered a unique perspective because the agency was chosen to help develop Brand USA’s national travel promotion strategy.

Winners for the Mercury and Destiny awards are available online.

State Tourism Director of the Year

South Dakota’s Jim Hagen was honored by NCSTD as the 2014 State Tourism Director of the Year. The award annually recognizes a state tourism director who contributes to successfully raising the profile of his or her state as a travel and tourism destination. It’s a unique honor as fellow state tourism directors cast the ballots in the election, selecting the individual exhibiting the most impressive achievements.

DMO Rising Star

The Destinations Council named Brittany Berger, Social Media Manager for the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, as the 2014 DMO Rising Star of the Year. The award recognizes the achievements of an individual working for a destination marketing organization for less than three years, but who has already made significant contributions to the destination marketing industry.

Destination & Travel Foundation – Destinations Council Continuing Graduate Student Scholarship

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona’s Masters in Hospitality Management candidate Michelle Pecheck received the 2014 Destinations Council Continuing Graduate Student Scholarship. Awarded to a graduate student in the field of travel and tourism, the winner is selected based on goals and accomplishments in travel.

About ESTO

ESTO is the premier national forum bringing together travel destination professionals from the local, state, and regional levels to share expertise, participate in educational activities, and leave with tools, tips and information to help better market and grow their destinations.

Contact:
Cathy Keefe 202.408.2183
Jamie Morris 202.218.3621

The U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the travel industry that generates $2.1 trillion in economic output and supports 14.9 million jobs. U.S. Travel’s mission is to increase travel to and within the United States.
Visit www.ustravel.org.

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