2023 Winners
**Award activities, events, marketing campaigns, etc. occurred in 2022. Winners were awarded in 2023.
Destination Branding & Marketing Campaign of the Year
Population: Under 500,000 -
Visit Frisco
Population: 500,000 and above -
Catch Des Moines
Event Marketing Campaign of the Year
Population: Under 500,000 -
Erie Sports Commission
Population: 500,000 and above -
Tulsa Sports Commission
Event or Program Impact of the Year
Population: Under 500,000 -
Tempe Tourism Office
Population: 500,000 and above -
Louisville Sports Commission
Event Partnership of the Year
Population: Under 500,000 -
Visit Quad Cities
Population: 500,000 and above -
West Michigan Sports Commission
Sports Commission of the Year
Population: Under 500,000 -
Erie Sports Commission
Population: 500,000 and above -
Tulsa Sports Commission
Sports Tourism Organization of the Year
Population: Under 500,000 -
Warren County CVB
Population: 500,000 and above -
Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority - Visit Charlotte
Superior Service Award
Gamechangers Consulting
Rising Stars
Igor Bakovic - DuPage Sports Commission
Shelbey Morris - Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism
2021 Winners
**Award activities, events, marketing campaigns, etc. occurred in 2020. Winners were awarded in 2021.
Rights Holder of the Year
John David, STS - USA BMX
Trailblazer of the Year
Frank Lett, Visit Kingsport
Woman of the Year
Bonny Bernat, STS - Visit Winston-Salem
Young Professional of the Year
Ariana Tyler - Greater Columbus Sports Commission
Luchie Javelosa - Visit Tucson Sports
2020 Winners
**Award activities, events, marketing campaigns, etc. occurred in 2019. Winners were awarded in 2020.
Sports Commission of the Year
Population: Under 500,000 - Columbus, GA Sports Council
Population: 500,000 and above - Greater Cleveland Sports Commission
Sports Tourism Organization of the Year
Population: Under 500,000 - Visit Knoxville Sports Commission
Population: 500,000 and above - Visit Baton Rouge
Event Marketing Campaign of the Year
Population: Under 500,000 - Rockford Area CVB
Population: 500,000 and above - Fort Worth Sports Commission
Destination Branding & Marketing Campaign of the Year
Population: Under 500,000 - Spokane Sports
Population: 500,000 and above - Experience Florida's Sports Coast
Locally Created Event of the Year
Population: Under 500,000 - Rockford Area CVB
Population 500,000 and above - Palm Beach County Sports Commission
Superior Service Award
Dale Neuburger - Burson, Cohn & Wolfe Sports Practice -- North America
Game Changer Award
Patti Smith - Harris County - Houston Sports Authority
2019 Winners
**Award activities, events, marketing campaigns, etc. occurred in 2018. Winners were awarded in 2019.
Sports Commission of the Year
Population: Under 500,000 - Spokane Sports Commission
Population: 500,000 and above - Sport Minneapolis, Powered by Meet Minneapolis
Sports Tourism Organization of the Year
Population: Under 500,000 - Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports
Population: 500,000 and above - Visit Anaheim
Event Marketing Campaign of the Year
Savannah Sports Council
Destination Branding & Marketing Campaign of the Year
Population: Under 500,000 - Rockford Area CVB
Locally Created Event of the Year
Population: Under 500,000 - Rock Hill/York County CVB
Population 500,000 and above - Louisville Sports Commission
Superior Service Award
Burson, Cohn & Wolfe Sports Practice -- North America (Formerly TSE Consulting -- North America)
Sport Tourism Executive of the Year
George Linley, Palm Beach County Sports Commission
Game Changer Award
Michelle Russ, CSEE, Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission
2018 Winners
**Award activities, events, marketing campaigns, etc. occurred in 2017. Winners were awarded in 2018.
Sports Commission of the Year
Population: Under 500,000 - Madison Area Sports Commission
Population: 500,000 and above - Louisville Sports Commission
Sports Tourism Organization of the Year
Population: Under 500,000 - Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Population: 500,000 and above - Visit Anaheim
Event Marketing Campaign of the Year
Population: Under 500,000 - Greater Cleveland Sports Commission
Population: 500,000 and above - Harris County - Houston Sports Authority
Destination Branding & Marketing Campaign of the Year
Population: Under 500,000 - Erie Sports Commission
Population: 500,000 and above - Seattle Sports Commission
Locally Created Event of the Year
Population: Under 500,000 - Spokane Sports Commission
Population 500,000 and above - Richmond Region Tourism
Superior Service Award
TSE Consulting -- North America
Sport Tourism Executive of the Year
Kathy Nelson, Kansas City Sports Commission
Game Changer Award
Holly Kesterson, Harris County - Houston Sports Authority
2017 Winners
**Award activities, events, marketing campaigns, etc. occurred in 2016. Winners were awarded in 2017.
Sports Commission of the Year
Population Under 400,000 - Ames Area Sports Commission
Population 400,000 and above - Harris County – Houston Sports Authority
Sport Tourism Organization of the Year
Population Under 400,000 - Sarasota County Sports Commission
Population 400,000 and above - Visit Anaheim
Marketing Campaign of the Year
Population Under 400,000 - Visit Greenville SC
Population 400,000 and above – VisitPITTSBURGH
Locally Created Event of the Year
Population Under 400,000 - Spokane Sports Commission
Population 400,000 and above - Kansas City Sports Commission
Sport Tourism Executive of the Year
Terry Hasseltine, CSEE
Maryland Sports/ TEAM Maryland
Game Changer Award
Mary Lee Malmberg, CSEE
GO Cedar Rapids
Sports Event Organizer of the Year
Roger Goudy
Amateur Athletic Union of the United States
Superior Service Award
Huddle Up Group
2016 Winners
**Award activities, events, marketing campaigns, etc. occurred in 2015. Winners were awarded in 2016.
Sports Commission of the Year
Population Under 250,000 - Erie Sports Commission
Population 250,000 and above - Richmond Sports Backers
Sport Tourism Organization of the Year
Population Under 250,000 - Fox Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau
Population 250,000 and above - Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Marketing Campaign of the Year
Population Under 250,000 - Erie Sports Commission
Population 250,000 and above - San Antonio Sports
Locally Created Event of the Year
Population Under 250,000 - Wicomico County Convention and Visitors Bureau
Population 250,000 and above - St. Louis Sports Commission
Sport Tourism Executive of the Year
Ron Sertz, Erie Sports Commission/PA Sports
Game Changer Award
Chris Massey, Harris County - Houston Sports Authority
Sports Event Organizer of the Year
Aaron Soroka, GWN Dragon Boat
2015 Winners
**Award activities, events, marketing campaigns, etc. occurred in 2014. Winners were awarded in 2015.
Sports Commission of the Year
Population Under 250,000 - Rochester Amateur Sports Commission
Population 250,000 and above - Atlanta Sports Council
Sport Tourism Organization of the Year
Population Under 250,000 -Warren County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Population 250,00 and Above - Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance
Marketing Campaign of the Year
Population under 250,000 - Round Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau
Population 250,000 and Above - Greensboro Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
Locally Created Event of the Year
Population under 250,000 - SPORTyler
Population 250,000 and Above - Greater Cleveland Sports Commission
Sports Event Professional of the Year
RB Thomas Jr., International Senior Softball Association
Game Changer
Tammy Dunn, Snohomish County Sports Commission
2014 Winners
**Award activities, events, marketing campaigns, etc. occurred in 2013. Winners were awarded in 2014.
Marketing Campaign of the Year
$200,000 and Above – Round Rock CVB
Locally Created Event of the Year
Under $200,000 -Hampton Roads Sports Commission
$200,000 and above - Kansas City Sports Commission
CVB Member of the Year
Under $200,00 - Wausau/Central Wisconsin Sports Authority
200,000 and above - Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau
Sports Commission of the Year
Under $200,000 – Erie Sports Commission
$200,000 and above - Houston – Harris County Sports Commission
Sports Tourism Organization of the Year
Under $200,000 – Butler County Visitors Bureau
Sports Event Professional of the Year
Ron Radigonda
2013 Winners
**Award activities, events, marketing campaigns, etc. occurred in 2012. Winners were awarded in 2013.
Outstanding Marketing Campaign
Under $200,000 - Lorain County Visitors Bureau
$200,000 and Above - Detroit Sports
Outstanding Locally Created Event
Under $200,000 - Bloomington-Normal Area Sports Commission
$200,000 and above - Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports Commission
Outstanding Online Presence
Under $200,000 – Butler County Visitors Bureau
$200,000 and above – Greater Columbus Sports Commission
CVB Member of the Year
Under $200,00 - Wausau/Central Wisconsin Sports Authority
200,000 and above - Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau
Sports Commission Member of the Year
Under $200,000 - Ames Area Sports Commission
$200,000 and above - St. Louis Sports Commission
2012 Winners
**Award activities, events, marketing campaigns, etc. occurred in 2011. Winners were awarded in 2012.
Member of the Year
Budget $100,000 - $300,000 - Sarasota County Sports Commission
Budget over $300,000 - Phoenix Regional Sports Commission
Budget under $100,000 - Southwest Louisiana/Lake Charles CVB
Outstanding Locally Created Event/Program
Budget $100,000 - $300,000 - Rochester Amateur Sports Commission
Budget over $300,000 - Richmond Sports Backers
Outstanding Marketing Campaign
Budget $100,000 - $300,000 - Rhode Island Sports Commission
Budget over $300,000 - Greater Columbus Sports Commission
Budget under $100,000 - Greater Green Bay CVB
Outstanding Web Presence
Budget $100,000 - $300,000 - Greater Lansing Sports Authority
Budget over $300,000 - Greater Cleveland Sports Commission
Budget under $100,000 - Columbia (SC) Regional Sports Council
2011 Winners
**Award activities, events, marketing campaigns, etc. occurred in 2010. Winners were awarded in 2011.
Member of the Year
Budget under $100,000 - Snohomish County Sports Commission
Budget $100,000 - $300,000 - Greater Lansing Sports Authority
Budget over $300,000 - Richmond Sports Backers
Outstanding Communication/Advertising
Budget under $100,000 - Southwest Louisiana/Lake Charles CVB
Budget $100,000 - $300,000 - Rochester Amateur Sports Commission
Budget over $300,000 - Richmond Sports Backers
Outstanding Locally Created Event/Program
Budget under $100,000 - Charlotte Harbor CVB
Budget $100,000 - $300,000 - Fargo-Moorhead Athletic Commission
Budget over $300,000 - Greater Cleveland Sports Commission
Outstanding Web Site
Budget under $100,000 - Butler County Visitors Bureau
Budget $100,000 - $300,000 - Greater Lansing Sports Authority
Budget over $300,000 - West Michigan Sports Commission
2010 Winners
**Award activities, events, marketing campaigns, etc. occurred in 2009. Winners were awarded in 2010.
Member of the Year
Budget under $100,000 - Snohomish County Sports Commission
Budget $100,000 - $300,000 - Rochester Amateur Sports Commission
Budget over $300,000 - Oregon Sports Authority
Outstanding Communication/Advertising
Budget under $100,000 - Lorain County Visitors Bureau
Budget $100,000 - $300,000 - Greater Lansing Sports Authority
Budget over $300,000 - Round Rock CVB
Outstanding Locally Created Event/Program
Budget over $300,000 - Greater Cleveland Sports Commission
Budget under $100,000 - Lorain County Visitors Bureau
Outstanding Web Site
Budget $100,000 - $300,000 - Greater Lansing Sports Authority
Budget over $300,000 - Greater Cleveland Sports Commission
2009 Winners
**Award activities, events, marketing campaigns, etc. occurred in 2008. Winners were awarded in 2009.
Member of the Year
Budget under $100,000 - Las Cruces CVB
Budget $100,000 - $300,000 - Gainesville Sports Commission
Budget over $300,000 - Richmond Sports Backers
Outstanding Communication/Advertising
Budget under $100,000 - St. Cloud Area CVB
Budget $100,000 - $300,000 - Gainesville Sports Commission
Budget over $300,000 - Nashville Sports Council
Outstanding Locally Created Event/Program
Budget under $100,000 - Visit South Bend Sports
Budget $100,000 - $300,000 - Rochester Amateur Sports Commission
Budget over $300,000 - Detroit Sports
Outstanding Web Site
Budget $100,000 - $300,000 - Greater Lansing Sports Authority
Budget over $300,000 - Palm Beach County Sports Commission
2008 Winners
**Award activities, events, marketing campaigns, etc. occurred in 2007. Winners were awarded in 2008.
Member of the Year
Budget $200,000 and over - Greater Cleveland Sports Commission
Budget $200,000 and under - Columbus Indiana Visitors Center
Outstanding Communication/Advertising
Budget $200,000 and over - Richmond Sports Backers
Budget $200,000 and under - Charleston Area Sports Commission
Outstanding Locally Created Event/Program
Budget $200,000 and over - Richmond Sports Backers
Budget $200,000 and under - Visit Eau Claire
Outstanding Web Site
Budget $200,000 and under - Sports Council of Collier County
Budget $200,000 and over - Richmond Sports Backers
2007 Winners
**Award activities, events, marketing campaigns, etc. occurred in 2007. Winners were awarded in 2007.
Member of the Year
Budget $200,000 and over - Atlanta Sports Council
Budget $200,000 and under - Ames Area Sports Commission
Outstanding Communication/Advertising
Budget $200,000 and over - Rapid City CVB
Budget $200,000 and under - Syracuse CVB
Outstanding Locally Created Event/Program
Budget $200,000 and over - Virginia Beach CVB
Budget $200,000 and under - Plano CVB
Outstanding Web Site
Budget $200,000 and over - Greater Columbus Sports Commission
Budget $200,000 and under - Tacoma South Sound Sports
2006 Winners
**Award activities, events, marketing campaigns, etc. occurred in 2005. Winners were awarded in 2006.
Member of the Year
Budget $200,000 and over - Richmond Sports Backers
Budget $200,000 and under - Warren County CVB
Outstanding Communication/Advertising
Budget $200,000 and over - Columbus, GA Sports Council
Budget $200,000 and under - Minneapolis Northwest CVB
Outstanding Locally Created Event/Program
Budget $200,000 and over - Columbus, GA Sports Council
Budget $200,000 and under - Greater Green Bay CVB
Outstanding Web Site
Budget $200,000 and over - Greater Columbus Sports Commission
Budget $200,000 and under - Seattle Sports Commission
2005 Winners
**Award activities, events, marketing campaigns, etc. occurred in 2004. Winners were awarded in 2005.
Member of the Year
Budget $200,000 and under - Gwinnett Sports Commission
Outstanding Communication/Advertising
Budget $200,000 and under - Charleston Area Sports Commission
Budget $200,001 and over - Utah Sports Commission
Outstanding Locally Created Event/Program
Budget $200,000 and under - Rochester Amateur Sports Commission
Budget $200,001 and over - Richmond Sports Backers
Outstanding Web Site
Budget $200,001 and over - Seattle Sports Commission
Member of the Year
Budget $200,001 and over - St. Louis Sports Commission
2004 Winners
**Award activities, events, marketing campaigns, etc. occurred in 2003. Winners were awarded in 2004.
Member of the Year
Budget over $300,000 - Atlanta Sports Council
Budget under $300,000 - Kingsport CVB
Outstanding Advertising/Communication
Budget over $300,000 - Nashville Sports Council
Budget under $300,000 - St. Cloud Area CVB
Outstanding Web Site
Budget over $300,000 - Los Angeles Sports Council
Budget under $300,000 - Rochester Amateur Sports Commission
2003 Winners
**Award activities, events, marketing campaigns, etc. occurred in 2002. Winners were awarded in 2003.
Outstanding Advertising/Communication Collateral
Destination, Budget over $450,000 - Atlanta Sports Council
Destination, Budget under $450,000 - Philadelphia Sports Congress
Outstanding Web Site
Destination, Budget over $450,000 - St. Louis Sports Commission
Budget under $450,000 - Minneapolis Metro North CVB
Member of the Year
Nashville Sports Council