More than 160 submissions were reviewed across nine categories, showcasing two years of creativity and hard work.
The past two years have seen tremendous growth, resilience and innovation from California’s travel industry,” said Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California. “This year’s Poppy Award-winning campaigns inspired visitors from around the world to rediscover California, highlighting our state’s welcoming spirit and abundance of world-class experiences.”
Beteta, alongside Visit California’s board officers, presented the 2024 Poppy Awards at the 16th annual Visit California Outlook Forum, held March 11-12 at the Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa. This year’s Outlook Forum conference celebrated record attendance, welcoming more than 800 attendees.
As the evening’s finale, Beteta presented the California Dreamer Award, which recognizes individuals who embody California’s pioneering spirit, to Chairman Reid D. Milanovich, who accepted the award on behalf of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.
“The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians have been the stewards of this beautiful place since time immemorial,” Beteta said. “Recent developments to the community, including the Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza and Museum and Spa at Séc-he, have redefined the visitor experience for travelers to this region, sharing the incredible history and modern-day culture of the tribe. It truly is the crown jewel of California’s native experiences.”
“To be here accepting an award for our tribe, for sharing our culture, is something I would have never imagined. It's such an honor,” said Chairman Milanovich. “We're looking forward to bringing more and more people here to the Coachella Valley, specifically to the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation.”
The emcee for the nights’ event was Olympic Gold Medal Skier Jonny Moseley. In line with Visit California’s recently announced global brand platform, The Ultimate Playground, this year’s Outlook Forum included play activities to enhance industry networking time. Moseley used his commentator experience to call out the best highlights from activities like putt putt, pickleball and even a guided plein air painting workshop.
A panel of industry marketing experts selected the winners of the Poppy Awards in nine categories, awarding winners in both business and destination categories.
The winners are:·
- Best Content Marketing
- Business: Belmont Park
- Destination (tie): San Francisco Travel, Visit Greater Palm Springs
- Best Strategic Partnership
- Business: San Francisco Giants
- Destination: Visit Ventura
- Best Public Relations Campaign
- Business: LEGOLAND California Resort
- Destination: Visit Newport Beach
- Best Influencer Campaign
- Business: Mendocino Railway | Skunk Train
- Destination: Visit Long Beach
- Best Crisis Recovery: See Monterey
- All Dreams Welcome: Visit Sacramento
- Best Group Meetings Marketing: See Monterey
- Destination Stewardship & Sustainable Travel Award
- Business: Rush Creek Lodge & Spa at Yosemite
- Destination: Visit Mono County
- Best Paid Brand Campaign, Under $1 Million
- Business: Palisades Tahoe
- Destination: Visit Lake Tahoe
- Best Paid Brand Campaign, $1 Million & Up
- Business: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (Zoo)
- Destination: San Diego Tourism Authority
More about the Poppy Awards:
Crafted by California artisan Nicholson Blown Glass in Auburn, Poppy Awards are bestowed every two years to acknowledge the best of California’s tourism promotion. Programs started Jan. 1, 2022 or after were eligible for the 2024 Poppy Awards. Submissions were reviewed by Visit California staff, then blind judged by California travel industry experts.
More about Outlook Forum:
Outlook Forum is the premier travel industry conference for California, the No. 1 tourism destination in the United States. Outlook Forum brings together C-suite executives and industry decision-makers from California’s hotels, rental cars, attractions, restaurants, retailers and other travel businesses, as well as representatives from Visit California’s global network of offices.
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 keep California top-of-mind as a premier travel destination. For more information about Visit California and for a free California Official State Visitor's Guide, go to VisitCalifornia.com. For story ideas, media information, downloadable images, video and more, go to media.VisitCalifornia.com.
Media Contact:
Kristen Bonilla, Visit California
kbonilla@visitcalifornia.com