North American Travel Journalists Association
150 S. Arroyo Parkway, 2nd Floor
Pasadena, California 91105
www.natja.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 22, 2010
CONTACT: , 626.376.9754
NORTH AMERICAN TRAVEL JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION
ANNOUNCES 2009 AWARD WINNERS
PASADENA, CA--The North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA) is announcing the winners of its 2009 awards competition. NATJA’s mission is to support the professional development of its members, provide exceptional benefits and valuable resources, support high quality professional journalism, promote travel and leisure activities to the public and honor the excellence of journalism throughout the world. Its awards competition, now in its 18th year, honors the “best of the best” of both travel writing, photography and travel promotion submitted by travel journalists, travel magazines, public relations agencies and destination marketing organizations (DMOs/CVBs) from the United States, Canada and Mexico. “This was a banner year for excellence,” stated Helen Hernandez, CEO of the organization. “Given the creativity, writing and vision of the submissions, the judges had a difficult time selecting the winners from the more than 500 entries.”
One 1st Place winner is chosen in each of 51 categories, along with runners up that receive Awards of Merit recognition. Then, five overall grand prize winners are selected in recognition of “outstanding excellence.”
Although winners are being announced now, the winners will be presented with their awards at the opening night dinner of the North American Travel Journalists Association’s annual conference on May 11th, 2010, at the Atlantis Hotel in Reno, Nevada.
Grand Prize Winners
Photography - Alex Farnum, The Full Maui, Spafax
Travel Journalism (tie) – David Lansing, National Geographic Traveler & Tom Uhlenbrock,
St. Louis Post - Dispatch
Publication – Virtuoso Life
Convention & Visitors Bureaus/Destination Marketing Organizations – Positively Cleveland
First Place Winners
Destination Travel, Domestic Newspaper, More than 250,000 - Tom Uhlenbrock, St Louis Dispatch
Destination Travel, Domestic Newspaper, Less than 250,000 - Christine Tibbetts, Tifton GA Gazette
Destination Travel, Domestic Magazine – Mel White, National Geographic Traveler
Destination Travel, International Newspaper, More than 250,000 - Tracy Barnett, Houston Chronicle
Destination Travel, International Newspaper, Less than 250,000 - Lindor Reynolds, Winnipeg Free Press
Destination Travel, International Magazine - Cathy Newman, National Geographic Magazine
Byline Travel Column, More than 250,000 - Daisann McLane, National Geographic Traveler
Byline Travel Column, Less than 250,000 - Michelle Theall, Women's Adventure Magazine
Travel Series, More than 250,000 - Geraldine Moor, Hemispheres
Travel Series, Less than 250,000 - Janet Podolak, The News Herald
Local Lifestyle – Luke Barr, Travel + Leisure Magazine
Leisure Activity – Keith Bellows, National Geographic Traveler
Sports and Recreation - Dale Sanders, Florida Sportsman
Resorts - PF Kluge, National Geographic Traveler
Cruises - Kimberly Brown-Seely, Virtuoso Life
Personality and Profiles - Ray Isle, Food & Wine Magazine
Historical or Hobby Travel - Geraldine Moor, MyMidWest
Senior Travel and Travelers - Linda Fasteson, Living Well, The Sun Chronicle (Senior Issue)
Intergenerational and Family Travel - Don Belt, National Geographic Traveler
Culinary Travel - Peter Jon Lindberg, Travel + Leisure Magazine
Cultural, Educational, Self-Improvement Travel - Scott Spencer, Travel + Leisure Magazine
Volunteer or Special Purpose Travel - Michelle Theall, Women's Adventure Magazine
Eco Travel or Environmental Tourism - Tom Uhlenbrock, St. Louis Dispatch
Budget Travel - Lisa Gregoire, Canadian Geographic Traveler
Travel Article for Internet - Tim Leffel, Perceptive Travel
Travel Broadcast (Audio-Podcast) - Tonya Fitzpatrick, www.talkzone.com - The Travel'N On Radio Show
Travel Broadcast (Video) - Darley Newman, PBS
Travel Journalism Website - National Geographic Traveler
Travel Blog - Meg Weaver, National Geographic Traveler
Photography, Overall Excellence - Lisa Linder, Food and Wine Magazine
Cover Photo, Illustration - Andre Doyon, Spafax
Landscape, Seascape - Robin & Arlene Karpan, Canadian Geographic Traveler
Portrait, People - Molly Feltner, National Geographic Traveler Intelligent Travel Blog
Facility, Architectural - Andrey Mikityuk, AAA Living
Travel Guide - Patricia Preston, Xlibris Corporation
Travel Trade Article (tie) - Chris McBeath, InnFocus Magazine
Travel Trade Article (tie) – Kenneth Shapiro, TravelAge West
Consumer Tips & Advice - Kate Pocock, CAA Magazine
Visitors’ Guide, More than $400,000 - Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau
Visitors’ Guide, Less than $400,000 - Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau
Destination Video, Greater than $400,000 - Positively Cleveland
Destination Video, Less than $400,000 - Winnipeg Convention Centre
Destination Website, Greater than $400,000 - Chicago Office of Tourism
Destination Website, Less than $400,000 - Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Social Media or Marketing Campaign, More than $400,000 (tie)- Positively Cleveland
Social Media or Marketing Campaign, Less than $400,000 (tie)- Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau
Newspaper Travel Section, Less than 250,000 - The Record
Travel Magazine - National Geographic Traveler
In-Flight Magazine - Go Magazine
Award of Merit Winners
Destination Travel, Domestic Newspaper, More than 250,000 - Nancy Wigston, Toronto Star
Destination Travel, Domestic Newspaper, More than 250,000 - Tom Uhlenbrock, St Louis Dispatch
Destination Travel, Domestic Newspaper, Less than 250,000 - Christine Tibbetts, Tifton Gazette
Destination Travel, Domestic Newspaper, Less than 250,000 – Kay Grant, Creators News Service
Destination Travel, Domestic Magazine – Kay Grant, Cowboys & Indians
Destination Travel, Domestic Magazine – Michael DeFreitas, Ensemble Vacations
Destination Travel, International Newspaper, More than 250,000 – Susan Hallett, The Epoch Times
Destination Travel, International Newspaper, More than 250,000 – Nancy Wigston, Canadian Jewish News
Destination Travel, International Newspaper, Less than 250,000 - Ron Pradinuk, Winnipeg Free Press
Destination Travel, International Newspaper, Less than 250,000 - Jill Wilson, Winnipeg Free Press
Destination Travel, International Magazine – Elaine Srnka, Virtuoso Life
Destination Travel, International Magazine – Justin Paul, Virtuoso Life
Destination Travel, International Magazine – David Noyes, Lifestyle & Travel
Byline Travel Column, More than 250,000 – Keith Bellows, National Geographic Traveler
Byline Travel Column, More than 250,000 – Peter Jon Lindberg, Travel + Leisure Magazine
Byline Travel Column, More than 250,000 – Carol Perehudoff, Toronto Star
Byline Travel Column, More than 250,000 – Heather Greenwood Davis, Toronto Star
Byline Travel Column, Less than 250,000 – John Lee, BC Business Magazine
Travel Series, More than 250,000 – Ilana Weitzman, Alec Scott, Charlene Rooke, Spafax
Travel Series, Less than 250,000 – Robert Sibley, Ottawa Citizen
Travel Series, Less than 250,000 – Linda Fasteson, Living Well, The Sun Chronicle
Travel Series, Less than 250,000 – Douglas Hunter, Patricia Pearson, Dawn Calleja, Canadian Geographic Travel
Travel Series, Less than 250,000 – Jill Schensul, The Record
Local Lifestyle – Fyllis Hockman, Creators News Service
Local Lifestyle – Paul Rubio, Outtraveler: South Florida, Feb 2009
Leisure Activity – Randy Gener, American Theater Magazine
Leisure Activity – Food and Wine Magazine
Sports and Recreation - Geoff Kirbyson, Winnipeg Free Press
Sports and Recreation – Michael DeFreitas, Diver Magazine
Sports and Recreation – Dina Mishev, Big Sky Journal
Resorts – Amy Rosen, National Post, Canada
Cruises - Tom Uhlenbrock, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Cruises – Ellen Creager, Virtuoso Life
Personality and Profiles – Randy Gener, American Theater Magazine
Personality and Profiles – Peter Rose, American Society of Journalists and Author Monthly
Personality and Profiles - Nancy Wigston, National Post
Historical or Hobby Travel – Kay Grant, Carnival Cruise Gateways
Historical or Hobby Travel – Peter Bronski, 5280 Magazine
Historical or Hobby Travel – Linda Fasteson, Living Well, The Sun Chronicle
Intergenerational and Family Travel – Chris McBeath, InnFocus Magazine
Intergenerational and Family Travel – Kate Pocock, Silverkris Magazine
Intergenerational and Family Travel - Heather Greenwood Davis, Family Outlook Magazine/Sears
Culinary Travel - Katherine Zoepf, Food and Wine Magazine
Culinary Travel - Taras Grescoe, National Geographic Traveler
Cultural, Educational, Self-Improvement Travel - Margie Goldsmith, www.travelwithachallenge.com
Eco Travel or Environmental Tourism – Dave Houser, Men’s Folio
Eco Travel or Environmental Tourism – Jay Walljasper, National Geographic Traveler
Budget Travel – Kristen Bellstrom, SmartMoney Magazine
Budget Travel – John Lee, Globe and Mail
Travel Article for Internet – Louisa Preston, Go NOMAD Magazine
Travel Broadcast (Audio-Podcast, etc.) - New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau, Travel Talk Radio
Travel Broadcast (Video) - Bryan Scofield, KTNV-TV ABC Las Vegas
Travel Journalism Website - www.SmarterTravel.com
Travel Journalism Website - Michael Reiss/Diane Sukiennik, www.foodandwineaccess.com
Travel Blog – Sarah Pascarella, www.SmarterTravel.com
Travel Blog - Emma Krasov, Art and Entertain Me Blog
Photography, Overall Excellence – Gail Mooney, Historia National Geographic
Photography, Overall Excellence - Dave Yoder, National Geographic Traveler
Photography, Overall Excellence - Susan Seubert, National Geographic Traveler
Photography, Overall Excellence - Justin Guariglia, National Geographic Traveler
Photography, Overall Excellence - Frederic Lagrange, Travel + Leisure Magazine
Photography, Overall Excellence - John Cullen, Spafax
Cover Photo, Illustration - Michael DeFreitas, Nights Bonaire
Cover Photo, Illustration - Michael DeFreitas, Islands Magazine
Cover Photo, Illustration - Dan Westergren, National Geographic Traveler
Cover Photo, Illustration – Dook, Virtuoso Life
Cover Photo, Illustration - Dan Westergren, National Geographic Traveler
Landscape, Seascape - Michael DeFreitas, Diver Magazine
Landscape, Seascape - Michael DeFreitas, Caribbean Travel/Life Magazine
Landscape, Seascape - Ron Pradinuk, Winnipeg Free Press
Portrait, People – Robert Jerome, The Rail Monthly
Facility, Architectural – Robert Jerome, The Rail Monthly
Travel Guide – Paul Rubio, Alyson Books NY
Travel Trade Article – Carol Canter, Smart Meetings Magazine
Travel Trade Article – Dori Saltzman, Travel Trade
Consumer Tips & Advice - Sarah Pascarella, SmarterTravel.com
Consumer Tips & Advice - Jennifer Miner, TheVacationGals.com
Visitors’ Guide, More than $400,000 - Newport RI Convention & Visitors Bureau
Destination Website, Less than $400,000 - San Mateo County
Destination Website, Less than $400,000 - Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau
Social Media or Marketing Campaign, Less than $400,000 - Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau
Travel Magazine - Canadian Geographic Travel
In-Flight Magazine - American Way Magazine
A complete list of the winners and awards of merit are available on the NATJA website at:www.natja.org.
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