Missed the webinar? Catch up on the blog to learn tips and tricks from some of our ESTO 2022 Destiny and Mercury Awards winners, Nebraska Tourism Commission (Winner of the Mercury Award for Integrated Marketing and Messaging Campaign: State Marketing Budget Less than $10 Million) and Visit Sonoma (Winner of the Destiny Award for Digital Campaign).

The 2023 ESTO Awards Platform is officially open for entries!

Hard to believe it’s time to submit awards again, but a lot can change in a year.  Here is what’s new for 2023 and what you can look forward to:

Flashback to late January, when a group of 20+ industry pros touched down in misty, magical Savannah to set the tone and vision for ESTO 2023. Together, this group transformed an exciting jumble of topics and ideas into part of what makes ESTO so unique—the collaborative, organic and peer-planned way the content comes to fruition. Through rapid-fire brainstorming, breakouts and small table discussions, this accomplished crew of marketers, researchers and communicators from across the U.S. mapped out a robust and inspiring suite of content for ESTO 2023.

Wow - what a time we had together! Experience Grand Rapids gave our ESTO attendees the royal treatment, and we are so appreciative of all their hard work and years in the making. From the inaugural Destination Immersions to the popular beer garden, we truly felt the essence of Grand Rapids.

CHECK IN AT #esto22

Snap a selfie in front of a giant chalk wall illustration of the state of Michigan.

Grand Rapids rolls out the red carpet for ESTO attendees! Check out how to access deals at local eateries and attractions and about the complimentary shuttle service. For a full list of places to explore, visit the Destination Info page.

Start the Weekend Right!

If you haven’t heard, Grand Rapids has an array of out-of-classroom experiences designed for you to explore our host city while learning from industry leaders.

How to Create an Award Winning Entry

It's that time of year again! Awards submissions are open and we are ready to see the stellar work from our industry peers. 

Perhaps you're wondering what makes an award winning entry. Look no further because one of the judges, Humphrey Ho, Hylink North America, and former award winners dish out the best tips and tricks for creating a winning entry.

Ben Darcie here, I’ve been in this great city for 16 years and have been an active member in the beer industry for 10  - from homebrewing to sales management to bartending - and I’m here to help you get the most out of your visit to the premier beer destination of the Midwest: Grand Rapids, MI - the reigning Beer City, USA. Fun fact: Grand Rapids first scored this nod to beer excellence 10 years ago, about the same time I was getting into the industry. Coincidence?

On behalf of the entire ESTO team and our hosts, the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A.