U.S. Travel Association

08/26/2026

🏆 And the winners are... 
 
Congratulations to the destination and state tourism organizations recognized with a 2026 ESTO Award! 
 
From innovative campaigns and digital experiences to community storytelling and accessibility, this year’s winners are raising the bar for destination marketing. 
 
“The ESTO Awards remind us just how much creativity and strategic thinking shape successful destination marketing,” said Ellen Davis, U.S. Travel COO and EVP. “This industry’s focus on the traveler experience turns curiosity into visits and visits into lasting economic momentum nationwide.” 
 
DESTINATION WINNERS: 
• All Ways Welcome: Explore Asheville  
• Bridging Communities: Explore Cabarrus
• Buzz-worthy: Visit Williamsburg
• Digital Brilliance: Visit Anaheim  
• Excellence in Print Marketing: Visit Ventura
• Excellence in Website Experience: San Diego Tourism Authority
• Immersive Experiences: Cody Yellowstone  
• Innovation: Visit Savannah  
• Marketing Momentum - Marketing Budget Less Than or Equal to $5 Million: Moab Office of Tourism
• Marketing Momentum - Marketing Budget More Than $5 Million: Visit Austin  
 
STATE WINNERS:
• All Ways Welcome: Travel Oregon  
•Bridging Communities: Pennsylvania Tourism Office
• Buzz-worthy: Discover South Carolina
• Digital Brilliance: Pennsylvania Tourism Office  
• Excellence in Print Marketing: West Virginia Department of Tourism
• Excellence in Website Experience: Travel Wisconsin  
• Immersive Experiences: Visit North Carolina  
• Innovation: Travel Wisconsin  
•Marketing Momentum - Overall State Marketing Budget Less Than or Equal to $10 Million: Pennsylvania Tourism Office
• Marketing Momentum - Overall State Marketing Budget More Than $10 Million: Kentucky Department of Tourism

08/26/2026

Congratulations to Mark Ezell, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, on being named the 2026 State Tourism Director of the Year! 🏆

Since taking the helm in 2019, Mark has helped lead a period of historic growth for Tennessee tourism—driving visitor spending, creating economic opportunity and bringing innovative ideas to life that inspire travel to Tennessee and beyond.

We’re grateful for his leadership on the U.S. Travel Executive Board and across the industry.

Congratulations, Mark!

Tennessee Vacation •

08/25/2026

Philly, we’re in full ESTO mode. 🔔

From giving back through ESTO Cares—assembling 500 hygiene kits for Ronald McDonald House Philadelphia—to peer-powered sessions and exploring the sights of Philly, there’s no shortage of ways to connect and get inspired.

We’ve heard powerful perspectives on tackling the industry’s priorities in Washington, how leading with curiosity can unleash innovation and why you should never “goal” alone. ⚽

And there's still more to come. What’s next on your agenda?

08/24/2026

Kicking off , Philly style. 🔔

A huge thank you to PHLCVB and Visit PA | Pennsylvania Tourism Office for an unforgettable welcome party at Philadelphia’s Masonic Temple.

From taking in the striking architecture to reconnecting with colleagues and making new connections, it was the perfect way to kick off a week of ideas, inspiration and collaboration.

08/22/2026

Galveston’s story is taking the national stage!
We’re thrilled to announce that Visit Galveston’s 125th anniversary of the 1900 Storm has been named a finalist for the U.S. Travel Association's prestigious ESTO Awards in the Immersive Experiences category.

We couldn’t be prouder to see Galveston’s history, creativity and storytelling represented on this stage. We're up against some stiff competition with Cody Yellowstone, Wyoming and St. Pete Clearwater, Florida.

Next stop: Philadelphia, where the winner will be announced at ESTO on August 25! 🌴🏆

Good luck to all the finalists!

08/22/2026

Exciting news! Cabarrus Burger Madness has been named a finalist for the Bridging Communities Award at ESTO! 🏆

🍔This recognition from the U.S. Travel Association’s flagship conference celebrates destination-led programs that make a positive impact on local communities. Cabarrus Burger Madness wouldn't be what it is without our incredible partners and our community who shows up and supports local! Thank you!

🎉A few members of our Explore Cabarrus team will head to Philadelphia next week for the ESTO conference and awards ceremony to represent Cabarrus County and celebrate this achievement. Wish us luck!

08/18/2026

The World Cup gave America a test: Can we welcome the world?

The answer was YES.

08/10/2026

Congress has a deadline: September 30.

Following passage of separate continuing resolutions in the House and Senate, U.S. Travel joined Airlines for America and the American Hotel & Lodging Association - AHLA today in urging congressional leaders to resolve the differences between the two bills and pass a stopgap funding measure before the deadline.

The last government shutdown delayed or canceled more than 9,000 flights, disrupted travel for over six million passengers and cost the travel economy an estimated $1 billion a week. Another lapse would mean TSA officers and air traffic controllers working without pay, longer security lines and potential closures at national parks and federal attractions nationwide.

As U.S. Travel CEO Geoff Freeman said: "Congress must finish the job."

Following House and Senate passage of separate continuing resolutions to keep the federal government funded, the U.S. Travel Association, Airlines for America (A4A) and the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) today sent a joint letter urging congressional leaders to quickly resolve the diffe...

08/10/2026

More than 150 travel leaders joined us in San Diego for Summer Summit, with conversations spanning the political landscape, shifting consumer expectations and the economic forces shaping our industry.

One theme kept surfacing: in an era of constant change, success depends less on predicting what’s next and more on adapting, staying focused and leading with clarity.

U.S. Travel CEO Geoff Freeman shared three ideas that rose above the rest:
1. Trust is a competitive advantage.
2. Be the architect of change, not the anchor holding it back.
3. The World Cup was a launchpad, not a finish line.

Thank you to everyone who joined us. We’re looking forward to continuing the conversation at this month in PHLCVB.

08/07/2026

What makes the ESTO community different? We asked the team at Travel Nevada.

Their answer: it's one of the few places where destination leaders openly share what works, what doesn't and how to tackle the industry's biggest challenges—together.

From building lasting professional relationships to bringing home practical ideas, see why they say is unlike any other conference.

It’s not too late to join us in Philadelphia, August 23–26: https://bit.ly/ESTO2026
https://bit.ly/ESTO-Travel-Nevada

For Travel Nevada, ESTO is more than a conference — it’s a community where destination leaders come together to share ideas, tackle challenges and build relationships that strengthen the industry. Travel Nevada CEO Rafael Villanueva and his team share how ESTO’s collaborative spirit, peer conn...