TOPEKA – North American Journey Journalists Affiliation (NATJA) just lately introduced that Kansas Tourism acquired 4 awards within the 32^nd Annual NATJA Awards Competitors. The competitors honors one of the best of one of the best in journey journalism, pictures and vacation spot advertising organizations. This recognition underscores Kansas Tourism’s dedication to progressive vacation spot advertising and its dedication to showcasing the state as a premier journey vacation spot. 

“Kansas Tourism’s award-winning efforts in inspiring vacationers to discover our state are pivotal to our picture and progress,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland mentioned. “Each customer represents a possible resident or enterprise connection, and elevating Kansas as a pretty vacation spot ensures lasting advantages for all communities.” 

The 4 awards introduced to Kansas Tourism embody:

• Vacation spot of the Yr Award: This particular recognition honors Kansas Tourism for its unwavering dedication to progressive tourism advertising methods and charming the eye of vacationers worldwide. Kansas Tourism was chosen for his or her total 2023 advertising campaigns, which all used the model messaging of To The Stars, and included the Kansas Day launch of the “House on the Vary” venture and the “To The Tales” video sequence.
• Inventive Advertising and marketing Marketing campaign, Gold Award: “House on the Vary.” This marketing campaign celebrates the distinctiveness of Kansas via a sequence of movies set to the state’s iconic tune and featured photographs of the state’s numerous landscapes and vibrant tradition. That includes 5 well-known Kansas artists, this marketing campaign, which was launched on Kansas Day 2023, showcases how the lyrics written greater than 150 years in the past nonetheless ring true immediately. You possibly can see the complete marketing campaign right here.
• Vacation spot Video, Bronze Award: “Capturing Kansas: The Gordon Parks Legacy.” This video is a part of Kansas Tourism’s “To The Tales” sequence, which explores the faces and locations that make Kansas an unbelievable place to go to and stay. It explores Gordon Parks, who devoted his life to combating racism and poverty via artwork, and the way the teachings he realized on his household farm in Fort Scott helped him to change into the primary Black photojournalist on workers at LIFE journal and the primary African American to direct a significant movement image. Academy Award profitable screenwriter and fellow Kansas native Kevin Willmott narrates the remarkably true story of how Parks opened doorways for Black filmmakers all over the place. You possibly can watch the video right here.
• Journey Information, Honorable Point out Award: “Kansas Official Journey Information 2023.” The annual Kansas Journey Information invitations readers to discover the Sunflower State’s numerous issues to do, together with sights, museums, eating, lodging, historic websites and out of doors adventures. Crammed with charming imagery and insightful narratives, this information beckons vacationers to find the treasures inside Kansas’ vibrant cities, historic cities, rolling plains and expansive prairies. The 2023 information’s entrance cowl featured a wakeboarder at Lake Perry ripping the waves, depicting one of many many sudden actions you will discover in Kansas. You possibly can order the most recent journey information right here.

“We’re honored to be acknowledged for the work we do to encourage journey to Kansas,” Kansas Tourism Director Bridgette Jobe mentioned. “Profitable these prestigious tourism advertising awards reaffirms our dedication to creativity, innovation, and excellence in selling unforgettable experiences within the state.”

“Submissions for this 12 months’s awards competitors included a various group of journalists, publications and vacation spot advertising organizations from North America,” NATJA CEO Helen Hernandez mentioned. “Number of the winners by our impartial panel of judges was notably tough this 12 months due to the excellent high quality and broad vary of articles, photographs and advertising campaigns submitted for consideration.” Judges for the competitors included award-winning newspaper and journal editors in addition to educators from throughout journalism disciplines. To qualify for an award or honor, work needed to be printed from October 1, 2022, via September 30, 2023.