Discover Long Island, the region’s official and only accredited destination marketing organization, was proud to unveil the recipients of the 2023 Tourism Awards at the organization’s 5th annual gala, held Tuesday December 5th, at the Fox Hollow in Woodbury. The annual event is designed to recognize the diverse group of local leaders, organizations, and business owners who continue to shape and further Long Island’s $6.6 billion tourism industry. This year’s award categories and the recipients included:
- Partner of the Year Award – WildPlay at Jones Beach
- Tourism Trailblazer Award – Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame
- Industry Advancement Award – Long Island Wine Country’s 50th anniversary
- Tourism Legacy Award – Bryan DeLuca
- Tourism Champion Award – Steve Bellone
“I’m honored to bring together Long Island’s hard-working and dedicated tourism and business community to shine the light on the individuals and organizations that play an integral role in our visitor economy,” said Discover Long Island President and CEO, Kristen Reynolds, CDME. “It is thanks to these local leaders that tourism remains a powerful economic driver for our region and that Long Island is positioned as one of the most desirable places to live, work and visit in the nation.”
178 guests attended the sold-out celebration which kicked off with an elegant champagne reception hour, followed by the main gala with dinner, entertainment by America’s Got Talent star and Long Island native Sal “The Voice” Valentinetti, and the highly anticipated annual awards ceremony. The gala began with remarks from Discover Long Island’s Chairman Mitch Pally, followed by a presentation from Discover Long Island President and CEO, Kristen Reynolds, CDME which highlighted the organization’s work and achievements over the past year. In addition to performing throughout dinner, Sal “The Voice” served as the Master of Ceremonies for the awards portion of the program, which included tributes to both, the Tourism Legacy Award recipient: Bryan DeLuca, and Discover Long Island’s first ever Tourism Champion Award recipient: Steve Bellone.
About the Tourism Legacy Award Winner
The esteemed Tourism Legacy Award is a lifetime achievement award dedicated to a Long Island icon whose efforts have helped shape Long Island’s tourism economy and whose impact on our industry cannot be truly measured. Bryan DeLuca has been instrumental to Long Island’s tourism industry during his prestigious career where he has managed and grown the multiple businesses of the Atlantis Marine World Resort Destination Property including the Hyatt Place East End, the Atlantis Banquet & Events and the Treasure Cove Resort Marina. In that role, he cares not only for his human staff, but the animals showcased at the Long Island Aquarium and those recovering at the New York Marine & Rescue Center. Bryan’s passion for collaboration also inspired him to create the East End Tourism Alliance that markets the East End as a region under the East End Getaway brand and at the East End Getaways store at Long Island MacArthur Airport. He has served on the Board of Directors for Discover Long Island for more than a decade and is the Immediate Past Chair, having guided the organization and industry through the pandemic and back to record-breaking success. In his spare time, Bryan is an artist who not only created the year-round “Reflections in Riverhead” free public art display, but also contributed two of his own luminated art sculptures of a giant seahorse and sea turtle for the public to enjoy.
“It’s an honor to be recognized with this award by Discover Long Island,” said DeLuca. “The growth and success of this thriving industry would not be possible without the tremendous contributions of each honoree recognized at this year’s tourism awards. The work we do for our industry will be felt for generations to come on Long Island ensuring this destination is the best it can be, and I am excited to continue being a part of it.”
About the Tourism Champion Award Winner
Discover Long Island created a brand-new award this year, recognizing a Tourism Champion in the industry. This distinguished accolade was presented to Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. The Discover Long Island Team made this decision due to the fact that Bellone is a visionary leader who has consistently recognized the transformative potential of tourism and its profound impact on the region’s prosperity and vitality. The award not only acknowledges Bellone’s exceptional contributions to the tourism industry within Suffolk County and across Long Island as a whole, but also highlights his unwavering commitment to harnessing tourism’s positive influence.
2023 Tourism Award Finalists
During the awards ceremony, Sal “The Voice” also unveiled and recognized the finalists in each category in addition to the winners. Partner of the Year Award honors a Discover Long Island partner that has exhibited strong engagement throughout the year and continued activation in the tourism industry. Finalists in this category included Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel and Besito, The Shed & The Farm Italy Restaurant Group.
The Tourism Trailblazer Award is given to a new or renovated attraction or promotional campaign that enhances tourism by creating opportunities for destination development, visitor retention, or promotion that lends to tourism growth or enhanced visitor experiences. The finalists in this category were Adventureland and Montauk Point Lighthouse.
And finally, the Industry Advancement Award honors an educational institution, initiative, or effort that fosters a significant understanding of the value of tourism, promotes the industry as an economic driver and works to develop future talent for the industry. The 2022 finalists for this category included the Long Island Hospitality Association and Long Island Federation of Labor and Building & Construction Trades Council of Nassau & Suffolk Counties.
ABOUT DISCOVER LONG ISLAND:
Discover Long Island is the region’s official destination marketing and leadership organization charged with furthering the destination’s thriving visitor economy, which saw record-breaking highs in 2022 generating $6.6 billion in visitor spending. The organization ensures Long Island’s coveted quality of life, thriving industries, and dynamic destination offerings are promoted on a global level, furthering economic development, and benefiting residents and businesses throughout the region. Awarded “Best Social Media” in the nation by the US Travel Association, the organization produces engaging content featuring local businesses and attractions for their 11 social media channels which garner upwards of 10 million views. Additionally, the organization hosts a popular YouTube series, Long Island TV, as well as the Long Island Tea podcast. To learn more, please call 631-951-3900 or visit www.DiscoverLongIsland.com.
