VISIT FLORIDA celebrated the outstanding contributions of key tourism leaders at the 2024 Florida Tourism Hall of Fame and Flagler Awards during the annual Chairman’s Dinner. Held at the Tampa Convention Center as part of the 2024 Florida Governor’s Conference on Tourism, this prestigious event brought together industry professionals to recognize excellence and innovation in Florida’s tourism sector.
Since its inception in 2001, the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame has recognized individuals whose vision, creativity, and leadership have significantly contributed to making Florida a premier travel destination. Each year, the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors selects honorees who have demonstrated a lasting impact on the state’s tourism industry. The 2024 Florida Tourism Hall of Fame welcomed a new inductee who has been a prominent figure in the hospitality industry. With a distinguished career in leading the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and holding various pivotal roles in state government, this inductee has consistently demonstrated a commitment to advancing the state’s hospitality industry. Their leadership has been instrumental in shaping policies and initiatives that support the growth and sustainability of Florida’s tourism.
Alongside the Hall of Fame induction, the Flagler Awards were also presented, celebrating outstanding tourism marketing efforts that have successfully promoted Florida’s rich cultural, natural, and recreational assets. The awards highlight innovative strategies that have captured the imagination of travelers and contributed to Florida’s status as a top travel destination.
The Flagler Awards, named in honor of Henry Flagler, were established in 2000 to celebrate exceptional tourism marketing efforts within the state of Florida. These prestigious awards recognize individuals, private businesses, and non-profit organizations that contribute to maintaining and enhancing Florida’s status as one of the world’s leading travel destinations. Open to all entities promoting tourism to or within Florida, the Flagler Awards highlight the innovative and creative campaigns that draw visitors to the Sunshine State each year.
The 2024 Flagler Awards attracted a diverse range of entries from both large organizations and smaller enterprises. A panel of thirteen judges, each bringing a unique perspective, independently evaluated the submissions based on criteria such as creativity, innovation, production quality, and overall effectiveness. Awards were then distributed to the top three entries in each category: Bronze for third place, Silver for second, and the prestigious Henry Award for first. This year’s competition introduced a new budget level category for marketing budgets under $150,000, allowing smaller businesses to compete more equitably.
The 2024 Flagler Awards featured winners in 18 distinct categories, along with Best in Show recognitions at four different budget levels. The Best of Show awards recognized exceptional campaigns across different budget levels, highlighting the creativity and strategic thinking that drive Florida’s tourism industry. The awards reinforce the state’s reputation as a top global travel destination.
For a complete list of winners and to see photos of the award recipients, please visit the photo gallery.
