Award nominations are being accepted through April 30, 2023. Please use the links below to navigate through the application procedures, award descriptions, and more.
Application Procedures — Read This Section First
NET is currently seeking nominations for the following awards:
- NET Excellence in Collaboration Award
- NET Excellence in Tourism Programming Award: Individual or Team
- NET Career Achievement Award
- NET Emerging Leader Award
NET additionally will give awards to the following as decided on by the NET Design Team
- NET Partner Award
- NET Local Champion
Who can nominate?
There are three types of nominations for the awards listed below. The first is self-nominated or nominated by someone else is allowed for the NET Excellence in Tourism Collaboration and NET Excellence in Tourism Program/Project. Nominations from someone else only are for the Career Achievement and Emerging Leader Award. The Local Partner and NET Champion Award are awards that will be nominated and decided among the NET Design Team to recognize valuable stakeholders to both the strength of NET and the success of the conference.
Because NET does not have a membership, involvement (e.g., presenting about projects, participating in virtual or in-person events) is always a plus but not required for any of the awards.
Self-nominations not accepted for:
- NET Emerging Leader
- NET Career Achievement Award
Nominations are not solicited for:
- NET Local Champion
- NET Partner Award
How do I prepare the nomination packet?
The nomination packet must:
- Adhere to applicable character/word limits and include:
- Submit the award nomination with all the award criteria outlined below as a single pdf.
The uploaded document should not exceed 6 total pages and should include the following:
- 2 pages max –
- Collaboration/Tourism Programming – a description which includes the who, what, where, when, how, and impacts
- Emerging Leaders/Career Achievement – primary nomination letter outlining individual contributions and impacts
- 2 pages max – supplemental materials
- Collaboration/Tourism Programming (e.g., marketing materials, link to program resources, impact statements)
- Emerging Leaders/Career Achievement – CV
- 2 pages max – supporting letter(s) that includes contact information from a partner organization, business, or community/destination that benefited from the program
- The file name should be YourNomineeName.pdf. Nominee name should be either person being nominated for individual awards or program, project name for team awards (e.g., Smith.pdf or NETAwardsCommittee.pdf).
- Comply with the page limits specified for each award. Pages must be single spaced, have 1” margins on all borders and fonts must be at least 11 points.
When are nominations due?
By 11:59 PM Eastern Time, April 30, 2023
Where do I submit the nomination packet?
Application materials are submitted on the links on this page: https://ncsu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cTo6vOslIaJLHsG
Can programs/projects be submitted in more than one category?
Each program/project can be submitted in only one category each year. Please coordinate with other team members to ensure no duplication exists.
How are award winners determined?
All awards applications will be submitted to the central judging committee for review and evaluation. That committee will score all the submissions. For the NET Excellence in Tourism Collaboration and NET Excellence in Tourism Programming the highest scoring applications shall be the winner so long as they meet the minimum meritorious standards (a score of 35 points). In the event of a tie or near tie the awards committee will review applications and score again using the NET President as a tie vote breaker. For the NET Career Achievement and the NET Emerging Leader Award the top three will be presented to the NET Design Team for further evaluation and a final decision. Preference will be given to nominees with an Extension, Sea Grant or Land Grant appointment.
When are awards presented?
Each national award recipient will receive recognition at the NET awards recognition event at the bi-annual conference. Applications will be posted online and used for other promotional materials following the conference to further showcase successful entries.
Where do I learn more about information specific to each award?
You can scroll through this document to read about each award or click on the links above to jump straight to one.
Awards & Descriptions
Submit nominations to the following awards here: https://ncsu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cTo6vOslIaJLHsG
NET Excellence in Tourism Collaborations Award
Award Description:
This award recognizes a collaboration or partnership that has made a significant contribution toward tourism development within communities and/or for businesses. This partnership may operate at/impact any variety of scales: community-based, regional, state-wide, multi-state or international.
Qualifications:
Nominees should be an original, creative, or innovative partnership or collaboration that has addressed a key area of need. The nominee should demonstrate how their efforts have engaged appropriate partners and collaborators in effective ways and how their efforts have the potential to make ongoing impacts or contributions. Candidates should share how their approach was designed and executed in a manner appropriate to the circumstances and situation the partnership or collaboration was established to improve and how their efforts incorporate the principles of sustainability and/or diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Logistics:
- Nominations for this award are solicited.
- Self nominations are accepted.
- The awardee will be selected by the central judging committee
| Criteria | Points |
| The collaboration or partnership is original, creative, and/or innovative | 10 |
| The collaboration or partnership addresses a key area of need | 10 |
| The collaboration or partnership engages appropriate partners and collaborators in effective ways | 10 |
| The collaboration or partnership has potential to make ongoing contributions and impacts | 10 |
| The collaboration or partnership utilizes an approach that is appropriate for the project/program and carefully designed and executed | 5 |
| The collaboration or partnership incorporates principles of sustainability and/or diversity, equity and inclusion | 5 |
NET Excellence in Tourism Programming Award: Individual or Team
Award Description:
This award recognizes outstanding tourism program development, projects or initiatives impacts, or accomplishments, relative to innovative, creative, or scholarly activities.
Qualifications:
Nominees should showcase an original, creative, or innovative program that has addressed a key area of need. The nominee should demonstrate how the program has potential to make ongoing impacts or contributions. Candidates should share how their program’s approach was designed and executed in a manner appropriate to the circumstances and situation the program was established to improve. The nominee should explain how the program incorporates the principles of sustainability and/or diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Logistics:
- Nominations for this award are solicited.
- Self nominations are accepted.
- The awardee will be selected by the central judging committee
| Criteria | Points |
| The program is original, creative, and/or innovative | 15 |
| The program addresses a key area of need | 10 |
| The program has potential to make ongoing contributions and impacts | 10 |
| The program utilizes an approach that is appropriate for the project/program and carefully designed and executed | 10 |
| The program incorporates principles of sustainability and/or diversity, equity and inclusion | 5 |
*NET Career Achievement Award
*(Self nominations not accepted for this award – requires a nominator.)
Award Description:
This award recognizes and honors an individual who has provided significant contributions to tourism-related outreach and education to communities throughout their career.
Qualifications:
Nominees for this award should have notable or unique contributions in teaching, scholarship, and/or industry work and shown a dedication to service. Candidates should have exhibited strong leadership and/or mentorship over their career and have demonstrated a strong commitment to community engagement and community-centered approaches.
Logistics:
- Nominations for this award are solicited and must include at least 1 and no more than 3 letters of support.
- Self nominations are not accepted.
- The awardee will be selected by the central judging committee
| Criteria | Points |
| The candidate as made notable or unique contributions in teaching, scholarship, and/or industry work | 20 |
| The candidate has shown a dedication to service | 10 |
| The candidate has exhibited strong leadership and/or mentorship | 10 |
| The candidate has shown a strong commitment to community engagement and community-centered approaches | 10 |
*NET Emerging Leader Award
*(Self nominations not accepted for this award – requires a nominator.)
Award Description:
This award recognizes an individual who is an emerging leader in tourism extension and outreach programming. This award is presented to an extension professional who has been working in Extension for less than 6 years.
Qualifications:
Nominees should explain how they meet the criteria of working for Extension for less than 6 years. The nominee should demonstrate how they have employed unique, creative and/or innovative strategies and approaches within their role as an Extension professional engaged in tourism related activities.
Logistics:
- Nominations for this award are solicited and must include at least 1 and no more than 3 letters of support.
- Self nominations are not accepted.
- The awardee will be selected by the central judging committee
| Criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| The candidate shows potential to create positive impacts upon communities, destinations, and/or specific audiences | 15 |
| The candidate shows potential to made notable or unique contributions in teaching, scholarship, and/or industry work | 15 |
| The candidate has employed unique, creative and/or innovative strategies and approaches in their work. | 10 |
| The candidate has shown a dedication to service | 10 |
Please note: NET is not soliciting nominations for the following awards. Descriptions are here for informational purposes only.
**NET Partner Award
**Not soliciting nominations for this awards
Award Description:
This award recognizes an individual, organization, or entity whose efforts, partnership, or contributions have made a significant positive impact on the NET organization or its members as a whole.
Qualifications:
Nominees for this award should be and or have been actively and meaningfully engaged with NET and/or its members and through this engagement made lasting positive impacts upon communities, destinations, and/or specific audiences. Nominees should demonstrate their notable or unique contributions in teaching, scholarship, and/or industry work and explain how they incorporate principles of sustainability and/or diversity, equity and inclusion.
Logistics:
- Nominations for this award are solicited
- Self nominations are not accepted
- The awardee will be selected by the NET Design Team
|
Criteria |
Points |
|
The partner has actively and meaningfully engaged with NET and/or its members |
15 |
|
The partner has shown a commitment to service, partnerships, or other broader engagements |
10 |
|
The partner has made lasting positive impacts upon communities, destinations, and/or specific audiences |
10 |
|
The partner has made notable or unique contributions in teaching, scholarship, and/or industry work |
10 |
|
The partner incorporates principles of sustainability and/or diversity, equity and inclusion |
5 |
**NET Local Champion
**Not soliciting nominations for this awards
Award Description:
This award recognizes an individual, organization, business, or entity located within a reasonable proximity to the current NET Conference location that has been a champion of innovative, inclusive, and progressive tourism related efforts. This award is intended to highlight and celebrate local efforts happening near the current NET Conference location.
Qualifications:
Nominees must be an individual, organization, business, or entity located within a reasonable proximity to the current NET Conference location. The nominee should have employed unique, creative and/or innovative strategies and approaches to improving or developing the local tourism market. These efforts should be aiding the local area in celebrating what makes it special and worth celebrating. The nominee should be/have demonstrated a commitment to sustainability and/or diversity, equity and inclusion and be active in community service, community engagement, community partnerships, and/or directly addressing community needs.
Logistics:
- Nominations for this award will be provided by the current conference planning committee and/or the Design Team members
- The awardee will be selected by the NET Design Team
|
Criteria |
Points |
|
Has employed unique, creative and/or innovative strategies and approaches |
20 |
|
Has exhibited a commitment to sustainability and/or diversity, equity and inclusion |
10 |
|
Has been active in community service, community engagement, community partnerships, and/or directly addressing community needs |
10 |
|
Exemplifies characteristics of what makes this place special and worth celebrating |
10 |