During the recent awarding of The North American Travel Journalists Association’s (NATJA) 32nd Annual Travel Media Awards Competition, the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau (GBCVB) was awarded the Bronze prize for the website it developed to recognize the 60th commemoration of the Birmingham Civil Rights Movement. The website, dedicated to the year-long event, was submitted in the category of “Destination Marketing Organizations Visitors’ Guide (Printed or Digital) or Website.”
In 2023, the GBCVB launched its “Feel the History” campaign in commemoration of the Birmingham Civil Rights Movement of 1963. The campaign was developed to honor and share the stories of this important moment in Civil Rights history by encouraging people to visit the city and experience the Movement. At the center of the campaign, the website (60.birminghamal.org) provided themed itineraries, event listings, news updates and historic photos and videos, and served as the landing page for all campaign marketing efforts.
NATJA announced the winners of the 32nd Annual NATJA Travel Media Awards Competition on February 29. Awards were presented to publications, travel journalists and photographers, and destination marketing organizations. This year, NATJA established special recognitions for the publication, destination, journalists, and photographer who excelled across various categories in the competition. The special recognitions were awarded to Travel + Leisure for Magazine of the Year, Kansas Tourism for Destination of the Year, Autumn Phillips for Journalist of the Year, and Therese Iknoian for Photographer of the Year.
“Submissions for this year’s awards competition included a diverse group of journalists, publications, and destination marketing organizations from North America,” noted NATJA CEO, Helen Hernandez. “Selection of the winners by our independent panel of judges was particularly difficult this year because of the outstanding quality and broad range of articles, images and marketing campaigns submitted for consideration. I wish to extend my congratulations to all the winners for their exceptional work in enhancing the travel experience of those exploring new destinations and adventures.”
Judges for the competition included award-winning newspaper and magazine editors as well as educators from across journalism disciplines. One first place (Gold) winner is chosen in each of the categories along with second place (Silver), third place (Bronze), and Honorable Mentions. To qualify for an award or honor, work had to be published from October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023.