The Visit Ventura crew enjoying a beautiful Ventura day on the pier.
Maintaining an ongoing streak, the Ventura Visitors & Convention Bureau (VVCB) was kindly honored with a prestigious Gold Award from Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) at the 65th annual Adrian Awards, the world’s largest global travel marketing competition. VVCB won in the category “Corporate Social Responsibility,” the award given based on VVCB’s numerous programs and efforts aimed at supporting Ventura during the pandemic.
Out of over 600 entries submitted this year, VVCB’s work was judged to be exceptional by expert hospitality, travel, tourism, and media professionals. The focus of the 2021 HSMAI Adrian Awards this year shifted slightly, focusing on innovative efforts aimed at helping communities get through the pandemic and continue to flourish on through recovery.
“This year is a little different, and particularly special,” said Marlyss Auster, VVCB President & CEO. “Throughout the pandemic – and continuing on – we asked ourselves a simple question every day. What is the next right thing we can do to help our community? How could we reach — and really help — as many friends as possible? Every program we created and launched was based on that.”
Adrian Awards judges were asked to evaluate each entry based on its own merit and success in achieving its objectives. Past winners of this coveted award include such industry giants as Choice Hotels International, Visit California, Hilton Worldwide, Marriott International, and Royal Caribbean International. VVCB’s wins continue a “little engine that could” fairytale come to life. Including this year, Visit Ventura has won five Adrian Awards, including four gold awards and one silver award..
The 2021 Adrian Award winners were honored at the Adrian Awards Celebration, March 30th at The Boca Raton, Boca Raton, Florida.
But Visit Ventura isn’t about to rest on any laurels.
“It feels great to be recognized for doing the right thing,” said Auster. “We know there were a lot of worthy entries, but I’m really proud of everything our Visit Ventura team did to help our Ventura home. If the pandemic showed us anything it was how we all look out for each other. And we’re going to continue on full speed ahead, doing everything we can to help the town we love. It should also be noted that our mighty little engine that could includes our amazing volunteers and Board of Directors.”
