Explore Minnesota Tourism Awards
The Explore Minnesota Tourism Awards celebrate the outstanding people, marketing and initiatives that help make Minnesota a premier travel destination.
To be considered for an award, a completed and submitted nomination form is required. Please share specific details for each nomination, including examples, goals, results, ROI, accomplishments, etc. Supporting documents and creative elements are encouraged to be uploaded with the nomination and will assist the Explore Minnesota Awards Committee in scoring each submission.
The eligibility period for each award is January 1 - December 31, 2025. Nominations will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. The following awards will be presented (in-person and virtually broadcast) during the 2026 Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference.
OUTSTANDING MARKETING CAMPAIGN
(for total organizational budgets under $1,000,000)
This award recognizes an innovative marketing campaign that has demonstrated exceptional creativity, innovation, and effectiveness. The campaign could have utilized a variety of channels, including digital media, social platforms, and traditional outlets, to promote a destination successfully.
Click Here to fill out a nomination form
OUTSTANDING MARKETING CAMPAIGN
(for total organizational budgets over $1,000,000)
This award recognizes an innovative marketing campaign that has demonstrated exceptional creativity, innovation, and effectiveness. The campaign could have utilized a variety of channels, including digital media, social platforms and traditional outlets, to promote a destination successfully.
Click Here to fill out a nomination form
SOCIAL MEDIA EXCELLENCE
This award recognizes exceptional social media campaigns or initiatives that showcase originality, brand consistency and creativity. Campaigns should effectively engage audiences on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and others. Nominees should provide metrics with accompanying analytics, engagement data, and other relevant dashboard information.
Click Here to fill out a nomination form
OUTSTANDING VIDEO
The Outstanding Video Award recognizes tourism organizations that have produced unique and innovative video content showcasing their destination’s distinctive attributes. Nominations should highlight the creative process, the video’s practical use in marketing campaigns, and any measurable results achieved. This award celebrates the power of video to inspire travel and drive economic impact.
Click Here to fill out a nomination form
BEST DESTINATION WEBSITE
This award recognizes a new or refreshed website that has significantly enhanced the visitor experience, providing exceptional features such as interactive mapping, robust search functionality, personalized recommendations, and seamless social media integration. The winning website will demonstrate innovation and a commitment to providing a truly outstanding digital experience for travel planners.
Click Here to fill out a nomination form
ONE MINNESOTA AWARD
Recognizing collaborative efforts of three or more organizations or entities, this award will be presented to an outstanding tourism project, initiative or campaign designed to advance tourism for a community, area or business district. Nominees should detail how they worked together to address a challenge or opportunity and how the collaboration benefited each of the partners.
Click Here to fill out a nomination form
EMERGING LEADER
This award recognizes an individual who has joined Minnesota's tourism industry within the last five years. The Emerging Leader exhibits a passion for Minnesota's tourism and hospitality industry, is mindful of their role in making the state a welcoming place for all travelers, and through their work ensures the future growth and vitality of Minnesota tourism.