Industry Awards

These awards give us a chance to show appreciation for the efforts of individuals and companies that go above and beyond in supporting ASTA’s mission to advance professionalism, education and advocacy for our industry and the traveling public. Awards fall into three main categories: supplier awards, advocacy awards, and membership awards.

ANNOUNCING OUR

Advocacy Award Winners

ASTA advocates on behalf of the travel agency community at all levels of government, within the industry, and before the traveling public. Our success is due in large part to the active involvement and leadership of our members and chapters and to members of Congress who have become advocates for our causes.
Every year, at ASTA’s black-tie Advocacy Dinner during our Global Convention and during our annual ASTA Legislative Day, we honor a select group of members and U.S. Senators and Representatives who have exhibited exceptional support and leadership for our initiatives.
- Chapter Advocacy Award 2024
  
  ASTA Greater Houston Chapter
- Paul Ruden Industry Ambassador Award 2024
  
  Matthew Upchurch, CEO and Chairman of Virtuoso
- Barbara O’Hara Advocacy Award 2024
  
  Vanessa McGovern, co-founder and Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, Gifted Travel Network (GTN)
CONGRATULATE OUR

Membership Award Winners

ASTA relies on dedicated member-volunteers to accomplish its goals. This is true at the national level as well as the chapter level, where both domestic and international chapters help members connect locally and act as a link to ASTA’s national and global initiatives.
Membership awards recognize the superstar commitment of top ASTA member chapters, as well as individual members, chapter leaders, and travel agency host, consortia and franchise organizations that work to keep the travel agency community strong and show the greatest support for ASTA’s mission.
- Host Agency of the Year 2024
  
  Avoya Travel Network
- Member Service Award 2024
  
  Hope Wallace, ADA Travel & Dave Hershberger, Prestige Travel Leaders Inc.
- Regional Consortium of the Year 2024
  
  MAST Travel Network
- Robert Duglin Chapter Excellence Award 2024
  
  ASTA Central PA Chapter
- Travel Advisor of the Year 2024
  
  Velia Kennedy, Modern Family Travel LLC
- Consortium Partner of the Year 2024
  
  Co-winners - Signature Travel Network & Virtuoso
- President's Travel Advisor Leadership Award 2024
  
  Jean Paugh, All About You Travel Unlimited
- Edouard Jean Chapter on the Rise Award 2024
  
  ASTA Greater New Orleans Chapter
- George “Eddie” Woodham Chapter President of the Year Award 2024
  
  Senora Kelly, ASTA Missouri Kansas Chapter President
- ASTA Regional Director of the Year 2024
  
  Southeast Regional Director, Shelly Phillips
MEET OUR

Supplier Award Winners

Our Supplier Awards are designed to recognize companies and individuals who demonstrate a sustained and consistent commitment to ASTA and the travel agency community. These coveted awards are presented to the top supplier in more than a dozen categories, from travel insurance to tour operator.
In addition, a single individual who has dedicated their time, energy and career to the agency community is selected each year as the “Partner Representative of the Year.” The companies who are selected for these awards understand and value of the travel agency distribution model and their policies reflect this understanding.
- Partner Company of the Year 2024
  
  AmaWaterways
- Partner Representative of the Year 2024
  
  Kristin Karst, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President, AmaWaterways
- Airline Partner of the Year 2024
  
  Delta Air Lines
- Transportation Partner of the Year 2024
  
  Enterprise, National and Alamo
- GDS Partner of the Year 2024
  
  Sabre Corporation
- Hotel Partner of the Year 2024
  
  Marriott International
- Ocean Cruise Line Partner of the Year 2024
  
  Royal Caribbean International
- River Cruise Line Partner of the Year 2024
  
  AmaWaterways
- Tour Operator Partner of the Year 2024
  
  Globus Family of Brands
- Travel Insurance Partner of the Year 2024
  
  Allianz Partners
- North American Destination Partner of the Year 2024
  
  Hawai'i Visitors & Convention Bureau
- International Destination Partner of the Year 2024
  
  The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism
- Supplier Medal of Excellence 2024
  
  Vicki Freed, Senior Vice President of Sales and Trade Support, Royal Caribbean International

Frequently Asked Questions

How are winners selected?

The selection process varies by award.

Supplier awards are given in recognition of a company or individual’s involvement with ASTA and support for the travel advisor community and voted on by the ASTA membership via on-line ballot.

Membership awards are based on involvement with the Society and selected by staff, members and/or chapter leadership, depending on the award.

Advocacy awards are given in recognition of work done on behalf of the industry and selected by staff, members and/or chapter leadership, depending on the award.

When and where are the awards presented?

Our Industry Awards are presented at the annual ASTA Global Convention, our Showcase events as well as during ASTA Legislative Day.

How have the awards changed over the years?

We have added new awards over the years, but the basic concept of promoting excellence and recognizing those who make lasting contributions to the Society and to the travel agency community remains at the core of our industry awards program.

Our most recent addition is the Robert L. Duglin Chapter Excellence Award, an annual award that recognizes the chapter that best exemplifies the special qualities of conscientiousness, community building, volunteerism, and overall excellence exhibited by our long-serving ASTA member/volunteer and then staffer Robert L. Duglin.

Our Supportive

Proud Partners

We are grateful to our most supportive partners, ASTA Proud Partners. Recognizing how important travel advisors are to their success, these companies invest their time and resources to support ASTA’s mission and ensure a healthy and robust travel agency distribution channel.