CALTRAVEL AWARDS
The annual CalTravel Awards recognize extraordinary individuals and organizations whose leadership efforts have significantly impacted the travel and tourism industry in California.
Nominations for 2025 will open in February. In the meantime, check out the 2024 award winners below, and start thinking about who you would like to see recognized this year.
2024 AWARD WINNERS
F. NORMAN CLARK TOURISM CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
Javier Cano
Area General Manager, The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles & JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE
The F. Norman Clark Tourism Champion of the Year award recognizes excellence in California tourism leadership by a member individual, organization, or entity, for activities in a particular year or to acknowledge a body of work in tourism. The award recognizes activities which have contributed to building the image of California and for contributing to increasing visitor arrivals to the state.
BRAD BURLINGAME AWARD
Patti MacJennett
Chief Stakeholder Officer, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board
The Brad Burlingame Award recognizes a member individual or organization who has elevated travel and tourism advocacy in California by setting an example of commitment, generosity, and effectiveness.
DISTINGUISHED TRAVEL CHAMPION
Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva
District 67, California State Assembly
The Distinguished Travel Champion Award recognizes an elected or appointed state official who has exhibited outstanding political leadership on an issue or issues of importance to the travel and tourism industry in California.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & ACCESSIBILITY CHAMPION
Viola Ncube
Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Visit Pleasant Hill
The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility Champion Award recognizes a member individual or organization who, by advocating, educating, developing programs, and/or raising awareness of DEI&A issues, has strengthened and affected meaningful change to improve diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the travel and tourism industry.
GREAT WORKPLACE AWARD
LEGOLAND California
The Great Workplace Award recognizes a member organization that provides a great environment for employees to thrive and grow through mentoring, innovative recruitment or training programs, high quality of life benefits, or other ways to make their workplace a great place to work.
RISING STAR AWARD
Nichole Farley
Executive Director, Explore Butte County
The Rising Star Award recognizes one individual member, 39 years old or under, who has contributed through their individual efforts, to the promotion of travel, tourism, and hospitality in California. This exceptional individual has demonstrated the skills, talents, attitudes and initiative that are the hallmarks of a rising star.
SUSTAINABILITY & STEWARDSHIP AWARD
North Tahoe Community Alliance
The Sustainability & Stewardship Award recognizes a member individual or organization that has successfully implemented sustainability and stewardship practices that enhance environmental health, manage visitor impacts, and improve well-being of residents in their communities.
30 & UNDER EMERGING LEADER AWARDS
The 30 & Under Emerging Leader Awards recognize multiple member individuals, 30 years old or under, who have contributed through their individual efforts, to the promotion of travel, tourism, and hospitality in California. These exceptional individuals have demonstrated the skills, talents, attitudes and initiative that are the hallmarks of emerging leaders.
