Awards

VISIT TAMPA BAY WINS SEVEN AWARDS FOR MARKETING EXCELLENCE AT 2026 FLORIDA GOVERNOR'S CONFERENCE ON TOURISM

The destination marketing organization's Doggone Summer: Tampa Bay Unleashed campaign named Best of Show

Tampa, FL (September 10, 2026) – Visit Tampa Bay's Doggone Summer: Tampa Bay Unleashed initiative was named Best of Show and earned a Henry Award in Specialty Marketing at the 2026 Florida Governor's Conference on Tourism in West Palm Beach Sept. 9, capping a night in which the organization earned seven total Flagler Awards, including a second Henry Award for its Dylan Perry x Europe: Two Cities, One Creative Spirit campaign. Visit Tampa Bay took home more Flagler Awards than any other Florida destination marketing organization.

Visit Tampa Bay claimed the following 2026 Flagler Awards:

• The Henry Award in Specialty Marketing for Doggone Summer: Tampa Bay Unleashed, which also won Best of Show
• The Henry Award in Special Event for Dylan Perry x Europe: Two Cities, One Creative Spirit
• The Silver Award in Sustainable Tourism Marketing for Meeting the Moment: Meetings That Leave a Legacy
• The Bronze Award in Social Media Marketing for First to the Summit: Tampa Bay x Expedia
• The Bronze Award in Digital Advertising for Corporate Transient: From Clicks to Corporate Stays
• The Bronze Award in Tourism Advocacy for Hospitality Heroes: Championing Tampa Bay’s Tourism Workforce

"This kind of recognition from our peers across the state means a great deal, but what it really reflects is the caliber of work our team puts into telling Tampa Bay's story," said Santiago C. Corrada, President and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay. "Whether it's welcoming families and their pets to our destination or bringing Tampa Bay's creative spirit to international audiences, every one of these honored efforts was built to drive real, measurable impact for our community and our partners, as well as to inspire the world to love Tampa Bay. That's always been, and will always be, the goal."

Doggone Summer: Tampa Bay Unleashed positions Tampa Bay as a top destination for dog-friendly travel, inviting families to bring their four-legged companions along to explore pet-welcoming accommodations, attractions and outdoor experiences throughout Hillsborough County. Developed with FKQ Advertising + Marketing, the campaign has grown into an expanded "dog-fluencer" strategy, using authentic storytelling and full-funnel engagement to reach pet owners and showcase Tampa Bay as a destination where travelers and their pets are always welcome.

For the Special Event Henry Award, Visit Tampa Bay brought Tampa artist Dylan Perry to both Amsterdam's STRAAT Museum and Hamburg's Millerntor Gallery in July 2025, where he unveiled major mural installations to interpret the connection among culture, sport, social commitment, and travel. The program extended Visit Tampa Bay's presence in key European travel markets, using the region's shared passion for street art to support ongoing outreach with tour operators, airline executives, and trade and consumer media. 

Now in its 26th year, the Flagler Awards recognize outstanding, innovative, and creative Florida tourism marketing efforts. Honors are presented as Bronze, Silver, and the top-scoring Henry Award, alongside four Best of Show budget-tier categories. Created by Visit Florida, the annual statewide competition honors the individuals and organizations that position Florida as a top travel destination and drew nearly 300 entries in 2026.