Awards & Recognition

From innovative programs to official recognitions and undisputed "mosts," Greater Fort Lauderdale has enjoyed more than its share of awards, honors and achievements over the years. We don't like to toot our own horn but, feel free to toot it for us. A sampling of recent awards and accolades:

Magellan Awards
2022: Silver Magellan Award - Destination Marketing Education Program - Lauderdale Loyalist

2021: Gold Magellan Award - Destination Marketing Webinar - Play, Stay, Dine Webinar Series

Suncoast Regional Emmy® Awards
2018: Emmy, Commercial, Greater Together Video

Destination Awards
2022:Prevue Meetings 2022 Visionary Awards: Fort Lauderdale, Gold: Best U.S. Destination for Meetings & Conventions (Small, under 500,000 population)

2020: Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Equality Index Scorecard - City of Fort Lauderdale Achieves Perfect Equality Score. 
2020: Prevue Meetings 2020 Visionary Awards: Fort Lauderdale, Gold: Best U.S. Destination for Meetings & Conventions (Small, under 500,000 pop.)
2020: Veranda The 20 Best Resorts in Florida: Lago Mar Beach Resort & Club
2020: Travel + Leisure Top 15 Resort Hotels in the Continental United States: Lago Mar Beach Resort & Club
2020: Travel + Leisure Top 15 Resort Hotels in Florida: Lago Mar Beach Resort & Club
2020: TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Top 25 Popular U.S. Destinations: Fort Lauderdale
2020: TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Top 25 U.S. Beaches: Hollywood
2020: Orbitz.com: Hottest gay destinations of 2020: Fort Lauderdale
2019: Best of GayCities (Best City): Fort Lauderdale, silver
2019: Best of GayCities (Timeless 'Hood): Wilton Manors, bronze
2019: TripAdvisor: 15 Unbeatable Florida Family Vacations with Kid-Friendly Activities: Fort Lauderdale
2019: TripAdvisor Rentals Top 20 Places to Visit in the US in 2019: Fort Lauderdale
2018: Shanghai WOW! Award: Fort Lauderdale: Best Shopping Destination
2018: TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Top 25 Best U.S. Beaches: Fort Lauderdale & Hollywood
2017: TripAdvisor: America’s 15 Most Romantic Cities For Winter Travel
2017: Best Honeymoon Destinations of 2018 from Islands
2017: TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Top 25 Best U.S. Beaches: Hollywood
2016: America's Favorite Cities for Brunch from Travel + Leisure
2016: National Assn of Career Travel Agent (NACTA): Partner of the Year: Caitlan Etchevers
2016: Best of GayCities Innovator Award: Richard Gray
2016: America's Best Cities for Gay-Friendly Retirement from SeniorAdvice.com
2016: eTN Honest Travel Award: Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB & Richard Gray
2015: LGBTQ Destination of the Year by Man About World
2015: Fort Lauderdale named Gay Capital of the U.S. by National Post
2014: Best Beach Town in America by VacationRentals.com
2014: All-America Cities from National Civic League
2013: NACTA: Supplier of the Year, Destination of the Year and Supplier Liaison of the Year
2013: Fort Lauderdale ranks #8 for Top City for Families by Family Vacation Critic, Good Morning America
2013: Wilton Manors named Gayborhood of the Year by ManAboutWorld magazine
2013: Cruizie Award for Best Embark/Debark Port City for LGBT passengers
2012: Fort Lauderdale ranks #10 in US for fall travel according to Travel Leaders Group
2011: Yahoo Travel named us #2 Top Ten Beach Getaway
2011: TripAdvisor named W Fort Lauderdale, the trendiest US hotel (Jan)
2011: Fort Lauderdale named Best Beach in the World by OMG magazine (LGBT) 
2011: Best Destination from Amazing Gay Awards
2010: Not to be Missed Vacation Spots by US News & World Report (Dec)

Henry M. Flagler Visit Florida Tourism Awards

2023: Mixed Media Campaign, “Welcome”
2023: Print Advertising, "Welcome"
2023: Resource/Promotional Material-Trade, "Everyone Under The Sun" Trade Show Display
2023: Social Media Marketing, “Visit Lauderdale’s Old Florida Book Shop”
2023: Special Event, “The Next Wave of Greatness”
2023: Television Advertising, "Welcome"
2022: Niche Marketing, LGBT+
2022: Print Advertising, "Welcome"
2022: Special Event, The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
2022: Mixed Media, "Welcome"
2021: Tourism Advocacy, Brand Reveal
2018: Mixed Media Campaign, Greater Together
2018: Niche Marketing, Underground Lauderdale
2018: Radio Advertising, Hello Sunny on Pandora/Spotify
2018: Resource/Promotional Material, Consumer, Digital Vacation Planner
2018: Resource/Promotional Material, Trade, Group Meetings Campaign, bronze
2018: Television Advertising, Hello Sunny 2.0 Television, bronze
2018: Tourism Advocacy, Annual Marketing Plan Presentation Luncheon, bronze
2017: BEST IN SHOW, Hello Sunny TV
2017: Resource/Promotional Material - Consumer, Hello Sunny TV
2017: Creativity in Public Relations, Greater Fort Lauderdale Goes Luxe, silver
2017: Mixed Media Campaign, Riptide Music Festival, bronze
2016: Out of Home, Hello Sunny Live Bus Shelter Activation
2016: Mixed Media, Hello Sunny Millennial Campaign
2016: Mobile Media, Greater Fort Lauderdale Digital Vacation Playbook
2016: Special Event, Duende, silver
2015: BEST IN SHOW, Love is Love Wedding
2015: Creativity in Public Relations, Love is Love Wedding
2015: Mixed Media Campaign, Love is Love Wedding
2015: Niche Marketing, Momentos Sunny Travelscape/Latin America, silver
2015: Resource/Promo Material/Consumer, GFL Digital Vacation Magazine & Playbook, silver
2015: Tourism Advocacy, GFL Destination Marketing Luncheon, silver
2105: Special Event, "The Beach Looks Good on You" DC event, bronze
2014: Tourism Advocacy, Destination Marketing Plan Luncheon
2014: Creativity in Public Relations, The Beach Looks Good on You events
2014: Resource/Promotional Material Consumer, Hello Sunny Vacation Playbook
2014: Resource/Promotional Material Trade, Meet Sunny direct mail / video program
2014: Niche Marketing, GFL Urban Experience
2014: Mobile Marketing, sunny.org mobile site
2014: Mixed Media, Hello Sunny Fall/Winter campaign
2013: BEST IN SHOW, Hello Sunny campaign
2013: Tourism Advocacy, Marketing Plan and Hello Sunny branding kick-off
2013: Niche Marketing, Hello Sunny campaign, LGBT 
2013: Consumer Material, Hello Sunny Vacation Playbook
2013: Mobile Marketing, Fork Lauderdale Dining App
2013: Creativity in Public Relations, Goodbye Chilly, Hello Sunny 
2013: Trade Material, Greater Fort Lauderdale Office of Film & Entertainment Sizzle Reel
2013: TV Advertising, Hello Sunny :30 commercial
2012: BEST IN SHOW, Defrost Your Swimsuit
2012: Special Event, Defrost Your Swimsuit
2012: Outdoor, Toronto Billboards
2012: Mixed Media: Defrost Your Swimsuit tour
2012: Mobile Marketing: Sunny.org mobile site
2012: Consumer Material: Cruise and Play video
2012: Trade Material: SunConventional Meetings Guide
2011: Niche Marketing, Office of Film & Entertainment marketing materials
2010: Newspaper Ad, Post-election ad in New York Times
2010: Outdoor, Billboards along the Long Island Expressway
2010: Consumer Collateral, Vacation Planner
2009: Creative Public Relations, coast(954) Pop-Up Store 
2009: Creative Partnering, Dine Out Lauderdale Program 
2009: Multicultural Marketing: Rainbow Vacation Planner 
2008: Best in Show for Beachmobile 
2008: Creative Magazine Advertising, "O" Campaign 
2008: Mixed Media Campaign 
2008: Multicultural Marketing: Multicultural Visitors Guide

Travvy Awards
2019: Best LGBTQ Destination: Fort Lauderdale, Silver

Suncoast Regional Emmy® Awards
2018: Emmy, Commercial, Greater Together Video

Travel Weekly Magellan Award
2022: Silver, Destination Marketing - Education Program, Lauderdale Loyalist

2021: Gold, Overall Destinations - Webinar Series

2018: Gold, Overall Destinations - City, Greater Together
2018: Silver, Honeymoon Destination, "The Bachelor"

ADDY Awards
2019: Judge's Choice, Riptide Music Festival
2019: Gold: Ambient Media/Single Installation, Riptide Music Festival
2019: Silver: Card, Invitation, Announcement Campaign, Pride of the Americas Teaser Campaign
2018: Best of Video: Hello Sunny
2018: Gold: Cinematography, Hello Sunny
2018: Gold: Video, Greater Together
2018: Silver: Integrated Advertising Campaign: Regional/National Consumer. Hello Sunny 2.0 Brand Campaign
2018: Silver: Specialty Advertising Campaign, Hello Sunny Campaign Merchandise
2018: Silver: Out of Home/Ambient Media/Installations/Single Installation, Riptide Activation
2018: Silver: Integrated Advertising: Local Consumer, Crave GFL
2017: Gold, Hello Sunny UK Activation
2017: Silver, Brand Essence Video
2017: Silver, LGBTQ Family Campaign
2017: Silver, Riptide Music Festival
2016: BEST IN SHOW, Bus Shelter Activation
2016: Gold, Bus Shelter Activation
2016: Silver, Love is Love event
2016: Silver, Sunny.org website design
2016: Silver, Social Activation for Selfie Towel on Bus Shelter
2014: Gold, Goodbye Chilly, Hello Sunny - Chicago Non-Traditional Advertising Campaign
2014: Silver, Goodbye Chilly, Hello Sunny - Chicago Newspaper Spadea
2013: Gold, New York Times interstitial banner ads
2013: Gold, Defrost Your Swimsuit App
2013: Gold, Fork Lauderdale Dining App 
2013: Gold, Defrost Your Swimsuit Taxi Wraps 
2012: Best in Show, Defrost Your Swimsuit campaign
2012: Gold, "Super Boy" national TV spot, Sunny.org mobile website, Defrost Your Swimsuit app
2012: Silver, Super Summer national TV campaign and outdoor board; pre/post cruise video
2010: Gold, Mild 2 Wild GLBT Mobile Website
2010: Silver, Find Your Sunny videos
2009: Silver, Gr8ter Beaches Summer Campaign 
2009: Gold, GLBT video
2008: Gold, Immersadome video
2008: Gold, Integrated Ad Campaign
2008: Silver, Post-Election Ad "Time to exercise your right to relax."

The Communicator Awards
2018: Hello Savings, Marketing Effectiveness, (award of distinction)
2018: Hello Sunny 2.0 Video, Branded Content, Business to Consumer, (award of distinction)
2018: GFL “Greater Together” Campaign, Integrated Campaign, (award of distinction)
2013: Goodbye Chilly, Hello Sunny Integrated Branding Campaign (award of excellence)
2013: Hello Sunny Online Travel Video (award of excellence)
2013: Hello Sunny Direct Mail Marketing (award of excellence)
2013: Sunny.org (award of distinction)
2013: Fork Lauderdale Dining App (award of distinction)
2011: Sunnylicious Scan Tag Ad
2009: NY Times post-election newspaper ad
2009: Billboard in Times Square

MarCom Awards
2017: Platinum, Hello Sunny London Market Activation Campaign 
2017: Platinum, Hello Sunny 2.0 Brand Campaign
2017: Gold, Hello Sunny TV
2017: Honorable Mention, Greater Together Welcome Video

Ad Pop Awards - Pride in Online and Print: LGBT Regional Media Advertising
2017: South Florida Winner presented by South Florida Gay News, LGBT Hello Sunny ad

U.S. Travel Association’s Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations (ESTO)

2023: Destiny Award for Printed Collateral Material category for the destination’s AFAR Magazine Cruise Insert. 
2016: Destiny Award for Branding and Integrated Marketing Campaign for "Hello Sunny Millennial Campaign"
2016: Destiny Award for Best Short Term Marketing Campaign for "Hello Sunny Live Bus Shelter Activation"
2015: Destiny Award for Branding and Integrated Marketing Campaign for “Hello Sunny”

New York Society of Association Executives
2016: Digital Excellence Award for sunny.org

Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) Creativity Awards
2016: Best Web Design, 1st place
2016: Best Production Guide, 2nd place
2016: Best Logo Design, Best Promo Swag, Best Ad Design and Best Video Reel, 3rd place

Bulldog Awards, by Bulldog Report
2015: Silver, Travel/Hospitality PR Campaign, Love is Love in Greater Fort Lauderdale

Routes Americas Marketing Awards
The Routes Marketing Awards are highly regarded as the most prestigious awards in the industry as they are voted for and judged by the airline network planning community.
2017: Destination Marketing
2016: Destination Marketing
2013: Destination Marketing

Southeast Tourism Society
2013: Tourism Office of the Year

National Association of Career Travel Agent (NACTA) Awards
2016: Strategic Partner of the Year: Caitlan Etchevers
2013: Supplier of the Year
2013: Destination of the Year
2013: Supplier Liaison of the Year: Josh Winston

PRSA Sunshine District Radiance Awards
2020: Best of Sunshine
2020: Reputation/Brand Management
2020: Integrated Communications
2020: Media Relations

A Greater Fort Lauderdale PR Wizard Awards Presented by Wizard Creations
2016: Department of the Year

PRSA Bronze Anvil Awards
2015: Commendation Award for The Beach Looks Good on You special event 

PR Week Awards
2015: Gold, Promotional Event for Love is Love
2013: Consumer Launch Campaign of the Year award for Defrost Your Swimsuit

Web Marketing Awards
2013: Best Government Integrated Ad Campaign: Goodbye Chilly, Hello Sunny

Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association Int'l (HSMAI) Adrian Awards

2023: Gold, Influencer Marketing: Hidden in Plain Sight
2023: Silver, Broadcast Integration: Advertising partnership with Good Morning America
2023: Bronze, Group Sales/Travel Trade: Recovery from COVID-19 pandemic
2022: Bronze, Advertising Print Collateral: AFAR Cruise Insert 
2022: Bronze, Visit Lauderdale and Modern Luxury VIP Event
2022: Bronze, Integrated Marketing Campaign: “Welcome”
2021: Silver, Special Event: Brand Reveal Event 
2018: Platinum, Destination Inclusion: Greater Fort Lauderdale's Transgender Marketing Campaign
2017: Gold, Destination Inclusion: Greater Fort Lauderdale's Transgender Marketing Campaign
2015: Gold, Celebrating Love is Love Marriage Equality, Feature Placement Online, Marketing Program and Special Event 
2014: Gold, The Beach Looks Good on You consumer marketing campaign
2014: Silver, The Beach Looks Good on You special event; Meet the Mother, Grandmother and President of the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB media cultivation event
2013: Gold, Goodbye Chilly, Hello Sunny special event
2013: Gold, Goodbye Chilly, Hello Sunny marketing program consumer
2012: Gold, Defrost Your Swimsuit special event
2012: Gold, Defrost Your Swimsuit media coverage
2011: Gold, Defrost Your Swimsuit campaign in NYC
2011: Bronze, Vacation Like a VIP
2010: Platinum, Sunny in the City campaign
2009: Bronze, Website, Sunny.org
2008: Gold, Special Events Category, coast(954) Pop-Up Store
2008: Bronze, Marketing Program Category, Summer of Discovery
2007: Gold, Special Events Category, coast(954) Pop-Up Store

Hermes Awards 

2015: Gold, "Hello Sunny - The Beach Looks Good on You" special event
2014: Platinum, "Goodbye Chilly, Hello Sunny" special event
2014: Platinum, Mobile Website
2013: Platinum, Hello Sunny campaign rollout
2013: Gold, Sunny.org redesign
2009: Sunny.org Official Website
2009: Meeting Planners Guide
2008: Summer of Discovery Program 
2007: coast(954) Pop-Up Store

National Assn of County Information Officers (NACIO) Awards 
2016: Sunny.org
2015: Best in Class, Love is Love special event & campaign
2015: OFME Film, Music, Entertainment & Fashion Guide
2015: Greater Fort Lauderdale Vacation Playbook
2014: Best in Class: Greater Fort Lauderdale Vacation Planner
2014: Best in Class: Sunny.org
2012: Best in Class: Defrost Your Swimsuit
2012: Sunny.org Mobile site 
2012: Super Summer Savings
2012: Marketing Plan booklet
2010: Best in Class: Mild to Wild GLBT Mobile Site
2010: Vacation Playbook
2010: Super Bowl XLIV media center
2010: Sunny in the City campaign  
2010: Learn to Dive program
2009: Best in Class: iVisitLauderdale iPhone Application
2009: "Unleashed" GLBT Video
2009: Sunny.org tourism website
2008: Multicultural Visitors Guide 
2008: coast(954) Pop-Up Store

Trade Awards:
2018: The Meetings Magazine, Award of Excellence
2015: Meetings & Conventions Gold Award
2014: Smart Meetings Platinum Choice Award 
2014: Best Destination Video award from PCMA
2014: Routes Award for Excellence in Destination Marketing
2013: INCENTIVE Platinum award 
2013: Meetings & Conventions Gold Award
2013: Successful Meetings' Pinnacle Award
2013: "Green Meetings Approved Site" by ConventionSouth
2012: INCENTIVE Platinum Partners award 
2012: Meetings & Conventions Gold Award and Hall of Fame
2012: Successful Meetings' Pinnacle Award
2012: Top Destination Award from Facilities & Destinations
2011: ConventionSouth Readers' Choice Award
2011: Meetings & Conventions Gold Award
2011: Successful Meetings' Pinnacle Award
2011: Facilities & Destinations Prime Site Award
2010: Inner Circle Award of Excellence from Association Meetings (8 consecutive yrs)
2010: World Class Award from Insurance & Financial Meetings Management 
2009: Top Destination Award from Facilities & Destinations
2009: Distinctive Achievement Award from Association Conventions & Facilities
ConventionSouth 2009 Readers' Choice Award
Association Meetings' Inner Circle Award 
Gold Service Award and Hall of Fame from Meetings & Conventions 
Corporate & Incentive Travel's Award of Excellence
Meeting News Planners Choice Award

W3 Awards
2013: Gold award for Sunny.org government website
2009: Silver award for Sunny.org tourism website 

Society of American Travel Writers' Aaron D. Cushman Awards 
2008: coast(954) Pop-Up Store campaign
2007: Best Marketing Campaign, "Spring Break to Beach Chic: The Transformation of Greater Fort Lauderdale"

SABRE Awards 
2007: Travel and Tourism Category, coast(954) Pop-Up Store