May 12, 2026

How to Nominate, Step By Step:

2026 NYS Tourism Excellence Awards

Nominations Deadline: May 31, 2026

Whether you led an exceptional marketing campaign, advanced destination development or tourism advocacy efforts, launched impactful stewardship initiatives, or want to recognize an outstanding individual in your organization, there are more award categories than ever to explore for the 2026 New York State Tourism Excellence Awards.

And the best part? You don't have to be a member of NYSTIA to nominate or be nominated! We are celebrating ALL tourism excellence in New York State, and welcome everyone to nominate. How to nominate:

Browse the many categories available for submissions, which includes new categories this year such as creative for tourism marketing, workforce development, destination development and community engagement, and more. All Categories
Take a look at one of our two example nominations of previous recipients to help your nomination stand out (Example #1 and Example #2).
Download our prep document (pdf) to work on your nomination in your own time.
Submit your nomination by May 31, 2026. Nominate

🗓️ Don't wait to nominate! There will be no more extensions.

Nominate Today

View as Webpage

In This Newsletter:

Issue Feature:

- Don't Wait to Nominate

- Share an Untold Story by May 15

- NYSTIA at MANY Conference

- New Secure Payment Portal

Advocacy:

- Virtual Advocacy Day

- Advocacy Through Industry Storytelling

Industry News:

- New Member Introduction

- NYSTIA Partner Feature

- Autism-Friendly Travel

- Sustainable Business Navigator Program

- I BIRD NY Library Lending Program

- Lake George CVB Welcomes New Team Member

Events:

- Virtual Advocacy Day

- State of the American Traveler

Featured Co-Ops:

- ROVA: The Magazine for Epic Road Trips

- Wheresight Digital Marketing Assessment

Share Untold Stories From Your Destination!

Deadline to Submit is May 15

The DEAI Committee has launched a special America 250 initiative, NY250: Untold Stories, dedicated to uncovering, preserving, and uplifting the diverse, often overlooked, and historically marginalized stories. The goal is to collect 250 untold stories, and we...

Contribute an untold story

NYSTIA Joins MANY at 'Museums Make NY' Conference

We completed the first half of our 2026 travel show season by showcasing your Tourism Champions Booth at the Museum Association of New York Annual Conference at the New York State Museum in Albany We had a lot of interest from museums looking to connect with counterparts in tourism organizations in their local...

NYSTIA Adds New, Secure Credit Card Payment Portal

The new payment portal is a convenience offered to members of the New York State Tourism Industry Association as well as members of the Canal New York Marketing & Business Alliance. The portal will supplement, not replace, our existing credit card payment links that require login to the members-only platform.

Access the Portal or find it on our website under MEMBERSHIP

⚖️ Advocacy Matters to You

All Advocacy

Tomorrow, May 13: Virtual Advocacy Day

Free to register

The role of destination organizations is evolving, and advocacy is now at the center of it all. Join Destinations International on Wednesday, May 13th for a special program designed to equip you with the tools, insights and shared language needed to advocate more effectively. Register Now

Advocacy Through Industry Storytelling

Monday, June 8 | 10 - 11 AM

The NYSTIA Advocacy Committee will host their second Open Forum on June 8th at 10 AM. We encourage you join us to hear how fellow members are protecting budgets, engaging new legislators, and navigating local challenges. Share what you’re facing and gain insight from peers tackling similar issues. Register Now

📣 Be a Tourism Advocate! Sign up to the NYSTIA Advocacy Action Center to receive alerts in our future advocacy efforts.

Industry News:

All News

New Member Introduction: Travis and Carol Cain of Brave World Media

Please welcome Travis and Carol Cain,Co-Owners of Brave World Media, to the NYSTIA Community! Besides running a marketing agency, Travis and Carol have a mobile coffee business called Café Cómodo...

Meet Travis & Carol

NYSTIA Partner Feature: Mark Preston from Tripscout

Mark Preston is the Senior Director, Destination Partnerships, from Tripscout, Inc, the ultimate social travel guide, leveraging 90M+ followers and 70K+ creators to connect destinations with high-intent...

Meet Mark

US Travel Industry Makes Strides in Autism-Friendly Travel

The US travel industry is making significant progress in promoting autism-friendly travel. Destinations and attractions are increasingly removing barriers for travelers on the autism spectrum by leveraging...

Continue Reading on TravelPulse

DEC Launches New Sustainable Business Navigator Program

In recognition of National Small Business Week, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced the launch of the Sustainable Business Navigator program to provide free...

DEC Launches I BIRD NY Library Lending Program

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton announced the launch of the I BIRD NY Library Lending Program. The program will expand access to free...

Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce & CVB Welcomes Danielle Dardas as Membership Marketing Assistant

The Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce & CVB is pleased to announce the appointment of Danielle Dardas as Membership Marketing Assistant, supporting the organization’s membership...

Events & Webinars:

All Events

Virtual Advocacy Day

Online | Destinations International | May 13

The State of the American Traveler Survey Findings - May 2026

Online | Future Partners | May 13

Marketing Opportunities:

All Co-Ops

ROVA: The Magazine for Epic Road Trips

6th Annual Brewery, Cidery and Distillery Destinations
Fishing Destinations

All participants receive multimedia exposure on rovamag.com. All participants receive multimedia exposure on rovamag.com with a 728x90 ad banner and those with and those with a ¼ page of larger can submit a blog to match section themes!

Learn More & Sign Up by June 8, 2026

Wheresight Digital Marketing Assessment

Wheresight collaborates with tourism organizations to deliver customized solutions that enhance digital maturity. Our comprehensive packages offer actionable insights, bolster digital transformation, and improve performance across key areas like marketing, sales, and operations. These solutions are meticulously crafted to address your destination partners specific needs and align with your strategic goals.

Learn More & Sign Up

Job Postings

All Jobs

No new jobs have been posted this week, but you can view the open listing anytime on our website. Open Job Listings

Become a Member | Join the Partnership Community

Volunteer at a Travel Show | Be a Tourism Champion | Take Off, New York!

Donate to the Scholarship Auction

Thank you to our Partnership Community!

WHAT WE DO:

We assist our members in advancing responsible, sustainable economic growth, local job creation, small business success and increased vitality in our destination communities by realizing the potential of New York State's tourism industry.