CALTRAVEL AWARDS
Over the years, we’ve had the honor of presenting awards to many exceptional members who have truly made a difference in California’s travel and tourism industry.
Check out our past winners to get a better idea of the types of individuals and organizations we aim to recognize with awards. We know their stories will inspire you as much as they’ve inspired us.
2025 award WINNERS
F. NORMAN CLARK TOURISM CHAMPION
Lisa Mayo
President & CEO, Visit Tuolumne County
BRAD BURLINGAME AWARD
Kelly Miller
President & CEO, Visit Huntington Beach
DISTINGUISHED TRAVEL CHAMPION
Asm. Matt Haney
District 17, California State Assembly
DEI&A CHAMPION
Dr. Mechelle Best
Dean, College of Health & Human Development, CSU Northridge
GREAT WORKPLACE AWARD
Expedia Group
(Organization)
RISING STAR
AWARD
Jasmine Avalos
Social Media Manager, Travel Costa Mesa
SUSTAINABILITY & STEWARDSHIP AWARD
Kind Traveler
(Organization)
30 & UNDER EMERGING LEADER AWARDS
The 30 & Under Emerging Leader Award recipients were Anthony Angelini, Jasmine Avalos, Chris Ayon, Zebastian Chihuaque, Yulianna Cisneros, Alina Garza, Wessam Hazaymeh, Sandy Huerta, Jacqueline Joshua, Christine Jossey, Kristen Kent, Ben Landis, Kayla Marquez, Vanessa Mata, Tatum McGovern, Shreya Nene, Cameron Newton, Katarina Sanchez, Indigo Sargent, Kristal Silva, Marciana Yeater, and Hoku Young.
ALL PAST WINNERS
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2025 — Kelly Miller, President & CEO, Visit Huntington Beach
2024 — Patti MacJennett, Chief Stakeholder Officer, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board
2023 — Gary Sherwin, President & CEO, Newport Beach & Company
2022 — Joe Terzi, Former President & CEO, San Diego Tourism Authority
2021 — John Lambeth, Founder & President, Civitas
2020 — No award presented
2019 — Michael Krouse, President & CEO, Greater Ontario Convention & Visitors Bureau
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2025 — Assemblymember Matt Haney, District 17, California State Assembly
2024 — Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva, District 67, California State Assembly
2023 — Senator Bill Dodd, California State Senator
2022 — Eleni Kounalakis, Lieutenant Governor, California
2021 — Dee Dee Myers, Director, GO-Biz; Mike McGuire, California State Senator
2020 — No award presented
2019 — Tom Umberg, California State Senator
2018 — Toni Atkins
2017 — Lisa Bartlett
2016 — No award presented
2015 — Sam Farr
2014 — Phil Ting
2013 — John Perez
2012 — Jared Huffman
2011 — Fran Pavley
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2025 — Mechelle Best, Dean of the College of Health & Human Development, CSU Northridge
2024 — Viola Ncube, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Visit Pleasant Hill
2023 — Visit Greater Palm Springs
2022 — Jerri Harris, Sr. Advertising Sales Specialist, Autoclub of Southern California/AAA Westways
2021 — Sonya Bradley, Chief of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
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2025 — Lisa Mayo, President & CEO, Visit Tuolumne County
2024 — Javier Cano, Area General Manager, The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles & JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE
2023 — Joe D’Alessandro, President & CEO, San Francisco Travel Association
2022 — Marilyn Hannes, Senior Vice President, Strategic Relationships, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
2021 — Caroline Beteta, President & CEO, Visit California
2020 — No award presented
2019 — Joe Terzi, President & CEO, San Diego Tourism Authority
2018 — John Poimiroo
2017 — Steve Hammond
2016 — Brad Burlingame
2015 — Cirque du Soleil
2014 — Bob Warren
2013 — Werner Escher
2012 — Jack O’Neill
2011 — Caroline Beteta
2010 — Huell Howser
2009 — Arnold Schwarzenegger
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2025 — Expedia Group
2024 — LEGOLAND California
2023 — Travelzoo
2022 — The Ritz-Carlton/JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE
2021 — Visit Oxnard
2020 — No award presented
2019 — Ventura Visitors & Convention Bureau
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2025 — Jasmine Avalos, Social Media & Content Manager, Travel Costa Mesa
2024 — Nichole Farley, Executive Director, Explore Butte County
2023 — Brittney Hendricks, Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Visit Oxnard
2022 — Lindsey Stevens, Vice President of Marketing Communications, Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau
2021 — Derek Kirk, Director of Community Engagement & Advocacy, Visit SLO CAL
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2025 — Kind Traveler
2024 — North Tahoe Community Alliance
2023 — Sonoma County Tourism
2022 — Davin Waite, Executive Chef & Co-Founder, Wrench and Rodent, The Plot, and Shootz Fish and Beer
2021 — Aquarium of the Bay
2020 — No award presented
2019 — Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau
