Each year, VADMO honors the best and brightest

in Virginia’s tourism industry. 

Whether it is an innovative marketing campaign, a wildly successful destination event, or a top-notch tourism professional, the VIRGO Awards showcase the immense talent and dedication of destination marketing organizations across the Commonwealth.

Industry peers - located outside of Virginia - will serve as Judges for the awards and the submissions shall be evaluated on the quality of the application, economic efficiency, budget, purpose and objective of the initiative/event and the economic or community impact. 

Projects, campaigns, and efforts completed between 

January and December of 2024 are eligible to be submitted.

New categories - for a total of 10 Awards - are included this year to recognize the many new opportunities in Destination Marketing for agritourism, wineries, breweries and regional events.

VIRGO Categories for 2025 Applications

BEST COMPREHENSIVE ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN

(One Award in each Subcategory based on DMO Operating Budget)

• DMOs with Total Operating Budgets under $500K
• DMOs with Total Operating Budgets $501K - $1mil
• DMOs with Total Operating Budgets $1mil +

A comprehensive advertising campaign is an all-encompassing plan that aligns all marketing activities with your destination's objectives. It involves a meticulous integration of various elements such as digital marketing, traditional marketing, content marketing, social media marketing, influencer marketing, etc.

 NOMINATION FORM-BEST COMPREHENSIVE AD CAMPAIGN

BEST DIGITAL AND/OR SOCIAL MEDIA INITIATIVE

Recognizing excellence in digital marketing, content creation, and social media strategy.

 NOMINATION FORM-BEST DIGITAL/SOCIAL MEDIA INITIATIVE

BEST PRINT COLLATERAL

Recognizing outstanding design, creativity, and effectiveness in printed marketing materials.

(Examples include, rack cards/brochures; visitor guides; direct mail pieces; annual reports; posters/flyers, etc.)

 NOMINATION FORM-BEST PRINT COLLATERAL

BEST IN NICHE TOURISM (One Award in Each Subcategory)

• Eco-Tourism/Outdoor Adventure
• Agritourism/Culinary/Winery/Brewery
• Arts/Music/Culture/Heritage

Creative and successful tourism initiatives that showcase a destination’s niche tourism market. 

 NOMINATION FORM-BEST NICHE TOURISM

BEST REGIONAL MARKETING INITIATIVE

​Two or more cities, counties or towns that have established a program, event or campaign that markets a region as a consolidated destination.

NOMINATION FORM-BEST REGIONAL MARKETING INITIATIVE

BEST DESTINATION EVENT

​Events, festivals, sport tournaments, concerts, reenactments, shows that generated a significant number of visitors.

​NOMINATION FORM-BEST DESTINATION EVENT

To submit your DMO or local/regional event or initiative, click on the link included with the category of your choice and fill out the NOMINATION FORM/application. 

Please submit the application and supporting files to: vadmo@associationbuilders.com by March 26, 2025. Use the LINK at the Top of this email or Below to register your NOMINATION FORM/application.

 REGISTRATION/PAYMENT for VIRGO Awards HERE

Registration Costs/Fees:

First Three Entries:

VADMO member $40 each | Non-members $55 each

 

Fourth Entry (plus):

VADMO member $30 each | Non-members $45 each

The Application Portal and Registration will be open soon.