Visit California Honors the Travel Industry’s Best Marketing Programs at the 2014 Poppy Awards

Published on : Sunday, February 9, 2014

Tonight, Visit California honored statewide destinations and attractions for outstanding tourism advertising, marketing and public relations programs. “Outstanding marketing programs like these are a big part of the reason that California is the leading tourism destination in the U.S.,” said Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California. “The Poppy Awards celebrate California’s innovative, creative spirit and raise the bar for travel marketing statewide and beyond. Congratulations to the winners and finalists whose ingenuity and hard work inspire our industry and visitors worldwide.” Beteta presented the 2014 Poppy Awards during the Visit California Outlook Forum, held Feb. 5-6 in Pasadena and attended by hundreds of industry leaders and marketing professionals. A panel of industry marketing experts selected winners in six categories: Best Digital Media Initiative; Best Social Media Initiative; Best Regional Collaborate Marketing Compaign; Committed to Tourism: Urban and Rural; Best Public Relations Campaign; and Best Overall Marketing Campaign. The brand new California Dreamer Award was created to recognize exceptional individuals who personify the free-spirited, anything-is-possible vibe that is the Golden State. The inaugural honor went to restauranteur Bill Chait, owner of several Los Angeles restaurants, including Bestia and Rivera. “Mr. Chait’s innovation and business savvy has helped elevate Los Angeles into a premier wine and food destination,” Beteta said. “California is the land of boundless opportunity and he is the epitome of someone who Dreams Big – turning his vision into successful reality.” Formerly the Excellence in Tourism Marketing Awards, the newly branded Poppy Awards is a biennial contest that honors the best and brightest of California tourism promotion. With 67 excellent entries from around the state, from organizations big and small, this year’s competition was fierce and some were too close to call, allowing for two winners in three of the categories. Source:- Visit California