Nominate

Nominations Deadline: April 24, 2026

The Nominations Portal can only upload files less than 5 MB. Documentation materials (.pdf, .mov, etc) can be provided in the online nomination form using links of file sharing services (Dropbox, WeTransfer, etc.)

  • Your program/project nomination must reference activity and outcomes that occurred between June 1, 2023 – December 31, 2024 and originated in New York State. All nominees for individual recognition (Leadership Categories) must work and reside in New York State. Results reported for your nomination must be attributable to the program or project nominated.
  • Preferential evaluation will be given to entities with programs and projects that demonstrate specific efforts to include diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion in planning, development, and execution.
  • Not all categories/awards are guaranteed to have recipients. 
  • Please refer to our FAQ page for answers to frequently asked questions.

*Please prepare your nomination in advance! There is no option to save your progress in the form below. 

Award Categories & Example Nominations:

Example #1 | Example #2 | Categories

Nominate Below:

*Important: The user session time is limited and there is no option to save your progress and come back later.
Are you nominating work done for a client?
Please indicate: *
If they do not know, please contact them so that they are aware prior to completing this nomination.

Please identify the Agency as the "Nominator" and the Client as the "Nominee."
If the program/project is selected as a 2025 New York State Tourism Excellence Award recipient, both the Agency and Client will be recognized as an Award honoree. 

I. Nominator Information:
II. Nominee Information:
Which of the following best describes your organization’s total annual tourism operating budget? *
To ensure fair competition among organizations of varying sizes, please select the total annual tourism operating budget of the nominated organization. Do NOT indicate the budget of the nominated program/project.
My nominated program/project references activity and outcomes that occurred between June 1, 2024 – December 31, 2025. *
If you are nominating an individual, please select N/A.
In 2-3 sentences, please provide an overview of the program, project or person you are nominating. (100 words max)
Please explain what makes this project/program/person unique and exceptional. Include specific details such as challenges overcome, areas of impact, key elements of development, funding sources, future plans, lessons learned, etc. (350 word maximum)
350 word maximum. If you are nominating an individual, please type N/A
350 word maximum. If you are nominating an individual, please type N/A
350 word maximum. If you are nominating a program/project, please type N/A
III. Supporting Documentation:

We recommend that you supply materials to support your nomination. Please ensure that your file is 5 MB max before uploading, or you may risk losing your work. 

If your supporting documentation exceeds 5 MB, please provide a file-sharing link (WeTransfer, Dropbox, Google Drive etc.) in the box below. If possible, please ensure that the link does not have an expiration date.

Please ensure that the file is NO LARGER than 5 MB! For larger files, please us the file sharing link option.
If possible, please ensure file sharing link has no expiration date.
IV. Workshops

Due to the popularity of the Excellence Workshops at the 2025 NYS Tourism Excellence Summit in Lake George, we would like all recipients of the 2026 NYS Tourism Excellence Awards to be aware that they have the option and opportunity to speak about their award-winning project to their peers.

Please indicate your interest in speaking about your award-winning* program/project/person at the 2026 Tourism Excellence Summit *
Please indicate your interest in speaking about your award-winning* program/project/person at the 2026 Tourism Excellence Summit *
*If your program/project/person is selected as a recipient of a 2026 NYS Tourism Excellence Award