NJ tourism awards recognize orgs for positively promoting the Garden State

Listen to this article

The New Jersey Tourism Industry Association (NJTIA) is highlighting organizations that have done a great job over the past year of promoting the Garden State as a top vacation destination.

Handed out during the 2022 New Jersey Conference on Tourism Luncheon Dec. 1-2 at Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, the annual Excellence Awards recognize achievement in positively promoting locations across the state as a way to enhance tourism.

Each year, the NJTIA accepts nominations for projects by any person, business or organization – whether public, private, profit or nonprofit – that have made efforts to improve the state’s tourism product, helping to increase hotel stays, attract out-of-state visitors and boost tourism expenditures.

2022 Excellence Awards

• Advertising: Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority – “Love Those Wildwood Days” marketing campaign
• Digital Outreach: Hunterdon County Department of Economic Development & Tourism – “The Other Side of Jersey” digital advertising campaign
• Partnerships: Elizabeth Destination Marketing Organization – “Elizabeth Fast Ferry Zero Emissions Transportation System”
• Public Relations: Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority – “We Are Ready When You Are…And We’re Saving You A Seat” public relations campaign
• President’s Award: Algonquin Arts Theatre – “Into the Woods Scavenger Hunt”

In a statement, John Siciliano, executive director and chief financial officer of the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority (GWTIDA), said, “To be recognized in two highly competitive categories for our 2021-2022 campaigns is a testament to our dedication to making the Wildwoods stand out as a top family vacation destination at the Jersey shore.”

The winning campaigns were conceived and executed by GWTIDA, along with its public relations agency, Suasion Communications Group, and advertising agency, Aloysius, Butler & Clark.

Launched in response to the pandemic’s impact on travel and tourism, GWTIDA’s 2021 campaign focused on the many ways to vacation safely in the Wildwoods. In 2022, the Wildwoods rolled out a new tourism campaign that highlighted everything vacationers could enjoy in a safe, fun, vacation experience — all on one 5-mile island.

Founded in 1984, NJTIA’s membership represents all aspects of the state’s $41 billion tourism industry and includes associations, businesses, resorts, attractions, destination marketing organizations, transportation companies, cultural organizations, chambers of commerce and visitors’ bureaus.