Awards

Nomination – This award category will receive nominations from member Inbound Operators. Nominations must be made in writing with a brief description of how the nominee meets the awards criteria.

Voting – The top three nominees, as determined by number of nominations, will be on the final ballot. This award will be voted on by member Inbound Operators.

Award Criteria: Recipients of the Award for Excellence in Inbound Destination Marketing will demonstrate excellence in international marketing, operations and collaboration with inbound operators. When making nominations for this award, IITA inbound operator members may consider the following:

o Has the DMO through their sales and marketing efforts over the past year, contributed to the growth and development of inbound tourism?

o Is the organization’s staff knowledgeable about the inbound market, its specific needs and requirements?

o Has the DMO helped its staff and the community prepare for international visitors?

o Do they effectively market their product internationally while protecting the interest of inbound tour operators?

o Does the DMO partner/collaborate with inbound operators to develop markets and grow international visitation?

o Does the organization communicate with inbound tour operators in a clear and concise manner?o Are questions and complaints handled in an efficient manner?

Nomination – This award category will receive nominations from member Inbound Operators. Nominations must be made in writing with a brief description of how the nominee meets the awards criteria.

Voting – The top three nominees, as determined by number of nominations, will be on the final ballot. This award will be voted on by member Inbound Operators.

Award Criteria: Recipients of the Award for Excellence in Lodging will demonstrate excellence in international marketing, operations and collaboration with inbound operators.When making nominations for this award, IITA inbound operator members may consider the following:
o Does this organization communicate with Inbound Operators in a clear and concise manner?

o Do they provide information in a timely manner regarding reservations, closeout dates, renovations, etc.?

o Do they effectively market their product overseas while still protecting the interest of inbound tour operators?

o Do they understand the particular needs of inbound tour operators?o Do reservations for groups and individuals flow smoothly from one department to another?

o Are quotes, questions and complaints handled in an efficient manner?

o Has the organization through their sales and marketing efforts over the past year, contributed to the growth and development of inbound tourism?

o Is the organization’s staff knowledgeable about the inbound market, its specific needs and requirements?

o Has the lodging property helped its staff and the community prepare for international visitors?

Nomination – This award category will receive nominations from member Inbound Operators. Nominations must be made in writing with a brief description of how the nominee meets the awards criteria.

Voting – The top three nominees, as determined by number of nominations, will be on the final ballot. This award will be voted on by member Inbound Operators.

Award Criteria:
Recipients of the Award for Excellence in Transportation will demonstrate excellence in international marketing, operations and collaboration with inbound operators. When making nominations for this award, IITA inbound operator members may consider the following:
o Does this organization communicate with inbound tour operators in a clear and concise manner?

o Do they effectively market their product internationally while protecting the interest of inbound tour operators?

o Does the organization communicate with inbound tour operators in a clear and concise manner?

o Do they understand the particular needs of inbound tour operators?

o Do reservations for groups and individuals flow smoothly from one department to another?

o Are quotes, questions and complaints handled in an efficient manner?

o Does the organization provide effective training for staff regarding international visitors?

o Has the organization through their sales and marketing efforts over the past year, contributed to the growth and development of inbound tourism?

o Is the organization’s staff knowledgeable about the inbound market, its specific needs and requirements?o Is service personal professional in behavior and appearance?

Nomination – This award category will receive nominations from member Inbound Operators. Nominations must be made in writing with a brief description of how the nominee meets the awards criteria.

Voting – The top three nominees, as determined by number of nominations, will be on the final ballot. This award will be voted on by member Inbound Operators

Award Criteria:
Recipients of the Award for Excellence in Attractions and Experiences will demonstrate excellence in international marketing, operations and collaboration with inbound operators. When making nominations for this award, IITA inbound operator members may consider the following:

o Does this organization communicate with inbound tour operators in a clear and concise manner?

o Do they provide information in a timely manner regarding reservations, closeout dates, renovations, etc.?

o Do they effectively market their product internationally while protecting the interest of inbound tour operators?

o Does the organization communicate with inbound tour operators in a clear and concise manner?

o Do they understand the particular needs of inbound tour operators?

o Do reservations for groups and individuals flow smoothly from one department to another?

o Are quotes, questions and complaints handled in an efficient manner?

o Does the organization provide effective training for staff regarding international visitors?

o Has the organization through their sales and marketing efforts over the past year, contributed to the growth and development of inbound tourism?

o Is the organization’s staff knowledgeable about the inbound market, its specific needs and requirements?

Nomination – This award category will receive nominations from member Inbound Operators. Nominations must be made in writing with a brief description of how the nominee meets the awards criteria.

Voting – The top three nominees, as determined by number of nominations, will be on the final ballot. This award will be voted on by member Inbound Operators

Award Criteria:
Recipients of the Award for Excellence in Dining will demonstrate excellence in international marketing, operations and collaboration with inbound operators. When making nominations for this award, IITA inbound operator members may consider the following:

o Does this organization communicate with inbound tour operators in a clear and concise manner?

o Do they provide information in a timely manner regarding reservations, closeout dates, renovations, etc.?

o Do they effectively market their product internationally while protecting the interest of inbound tour operators?

o Does the organization communicate with inbound tour operators in a clear and concise manner?

o Do they understand the particular needs of inbound tour operators?

o Do reservations for groups and individuals flow smoothly from one department to another?

o Are quotes, questions and complaints handled in an efficient manner?

o Does the organization provide effective training for staff regarding international visitors?

o Has the organization through their sales and marketing efforts over the past year, contributed to the growth and development of inbound tourism?

o Is the organization’s staff knowledgeable about the inbound market, its specific needs and requirements?

Nomination – This award category will receive three nominations from the IITA Chairman. Nominations must be made in writing with a brief description of how the nominee meets the awards criteria.

Voting – This award will be voted on by the IITA Board of Directors. A tie would be broken with a vote from the chairman.

Award Criteria:
This special award recognizes an organization for its outstanding contribution to IITA.

Nomination – This award category will receive nominations from the IITA membership. Nominations must be made in writing with a brief description of how the nominee meets the awards criteria.

Voting – All nominees will be on the final ballot. This award will be voted on by the IITA membership.

Award Criteria:
In honor of Stanley Fisher’s contribution to IITA and the travel industry, this award recognizes an individual for his or her outstanding contributions and dedication to the inbound industry over their lifetime. This award may be presented to an individual from a supplier, inbound operator or destination management organization or be an industry leader. When making nominations for this award members may consider the following:

o Has the nominee demonstrated leadership through noteworthy or special contributions and achievements within the inbound community or profession?

o  Has the nominee demonstrated a high level of professional integrity throughout their career?

o Has the nominee been dedicated to growing inbound travel to the U.S. and advancing inbound travel standards and practices?

Nomination – This award category will receive nominations from the IITA membership. Nominations must be made in writing with a brief description of how the nominee meets the awards criteria.

Voting – All nominees will be on the final ballot. This award will be voted on by the IITA membership.

Award Criteria:
This award recognizes an emerging leader for his or her outstanding contributions to the IITA and the inbound industry over their limited career. This individual should demonstrate exceptional growth and high potential for future impact. This award may be presented to an individual from a supplier, inbound operator or destination management organization or be an industry leader. When making nominations for this award members may consider the following:

o Does the nomineedemonstrates exceptional growth and high potential for future impact in the U.S. inbound travel industry?

o Does the nominee exhibit characteristics that demonstrate continued success and leadership skills?

Such Leadership may be manifested in an individual who:

• Implements change in a positive manner and strives to ensure its success;
• Approaches problem-solving with a solution orientation.
• Maintains perseverance in the face of adversity;
• Actively seeks ways to advance beyond the status quo;

• Inspires and encourages personal and professional development in others;
• Builds strong relationships that support a high level of trust and credibility;

Recipients of this award may be from any IITA membership category.

Nominees should have:

• made a positive impact on the international inbound travel industry
• the respect of professional peers
• general acknowledgement as having reached a pinnacle of their profession or industry;
• demonstrated, over an extended period of time a contribution which has included industry achievement, professional leadership and/or service to the inbound travel community, and
• personal integrity.

Recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award may be from any membership category.