The Global Travel Marketplace (GTM) brand was awarded a Silver Stevie Award in the Best Brand Experience Event category at the 14th annual American Business Awards.
The award, in American Business Awards' Live Events group, encompasses the two GTM events produced annually by Northstar Travel Group: GTM West, which kicked off this week with 250 of the industry's top travel advisers and suppliers at the Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa in Tucson, Ariz., and GTM, which will be held in Florida on Aug. 21 through 23.
More than 3,400 nominations were submitted to American Business Awards this year in a range of categories, and more than 250 professionals participated in the judging process.
"Northstar Travel Group has done a great job in creating an elevated event that provides great value to those selected to attend," a member of the judging panel said. "By creating an exclusive invite list of those most successful in the industry, they have ensured this event yields real results for all who attend."
A limited number of top-performing travel agents are invited to attend the GTM events. Agents must have $1 million in annual sales to qualify or be an owner of a multimillion-dollar agency who actively books travel. Once selected, agents are fully hosted and receive roundtrip air, a three-night hotel stay, meals, one-on-one meetings with suppliers and invitations to other events.
"GTM was created to provide a game-changing business environment for today's travel professionals. We're thrilled GTM was selected as one of the top events in its category and are proud to have our event named alongside the other winners," said Alicia Evanko-Lewis, senior vice president of events for Northstar Travel Group, the parent company of GTM and Travel Weekly.