Visit California Celebrates Innovative Tourism Marketing Programs at the 2018 Poppy Awards

“The Poppy Awards celebrate California’s innovative, anything-is-possible spirit and raise the bar for travel marketing throughout the state and beyond,” said Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California. “Congratulations to the winners and finalists whose creativity and dedication inspire their colleagues and elevate California as a world-class tourism destination.” 

Beteta presented the 2018 Poppy Awards during the 10th annual Visit California Outlook Forum, held February 14-15 in Anaheim at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and attended by hundreds of tourism industry leaders. Made by California artisan Nicholson Blown Glass in Auburn, Poppy Awards are given every two years to acknowledge the best of California’s tourism promotion. A panel of industry marketing experts selected the winners of the Poppy Awards in eight categories: Best Overall Marketing Program (at three budget levels); Best Digital Campaign; Best Social Media Campaign; Best Content Marketing Initiative; Best Cooperative Marketing; and Best Public Relations Campaign.

During the ceremony, Visit California also presented the California Dreamer Award, presented to individuals who truly embody the California spirit, to Louie Schwartzberg, a celebrated filmmaker and pioneer in time-lapse cinematography.

“Louie Schwartzberg embodies what it means to dream big in the Golden State, and his imagination and drive has made him a trailblazer in his field,” Beteta said. “His work truly captures the beauty of California’s unmatched landscape and natural environment, captivating audiences everywhere.” 

This year’s 2018 California Poppy Award winners are:

Best Overall Marketing Program - $2 million and up
Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board

Best Overall Marketing Program - $500,000 to $2 million
Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau
San Diego Zoo Global
(tie)

Best Overall Market Program – less than $500,000
San Francisco Travel Association 

Best Digital Campaign
Visit SLO CAL

Best Social Media Campaign
Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows

Best Content Marketing Initiative
North Lake Tahoe Visitor Bureaus

Best Cooperative Marketing
Visit Anaheim

Best Public Relations Campaign
San Diego Tourism Authority 

ABOUT VISIT CALIFORNIA
Visit California is a nonprofit organization with a mission to develop and maintain marketing programs – in partnership with the state’s travel industry – that inspire travel to California. Travelers spent $130 billion in 2017 in California, directly supporting 1.1 million California jobs and $10 billion in state and local tax revenue. For more information about Visit California and for a free California Official State Visitor’s Guide, go to www.visitcalifornia.com. For story ideas, media information, downloadable images, video and more, go to media.visitcalifornia.com.
Media Contact:
Kristen Bonilla, Visit California
(916) 319-5421
kbonilla@visitcalifornia.com

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