SYTA Annual Conference · Pittsburgh · August 24, 2026
What Are The Globies?
The Globies, short for the Global Student Travel Marketing Awards is SYTA’s new annual marketing awards program. Designed to elevate the standard of student travel storytelling, we recognize the best member-produced videos and content that inspire students, parents, educators, administrators, and communities to plan and participate in group travel.
This is not a general tourism award. All submissions must be student group travel content.
You may nominate your own work, a colleague’s work, or both.
The Globies recognize the best student travel marketing to increase student participation, raise the industry standard, and demonstrate that great storytelling drives students to travel.
Why Does This Matter?
The more great content our industry produces, the more students, parents, and educators we reach. It is that simple.
The Globies create a real incentive for that to happen. Winners receive beautiful awards and the recognition of their peers across the SYTA community. We are investing in making this one of the most prestigious and fun awards programs in the tourism industry — because a desirable award drives competition, and competition drives better content.
The goal is to give sales and marketing teams across our industry a reason to push harder and produce content that reaches further.
This program is the start of a larger conversation. The Globies will be followed by workshops, webinars, and opportunities to collaborate with fellow SYTA members on content creation. We understand that not every organization has the same budget or resources. We are invested in giving every member the tools to compete — because when our industry produces better content, more students travel, and everyone benefits.
The Globies will be announced live at the Monday Morning General Session — the final breakfast of the SYTA Annual Conference in Pittsburgh on August 24, 2026 from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE
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AWARD CATEGORIES
Format: Video
Format: Video
Format: Any — video, campaign, publication, social content, activation, or partnership. Submissions must include a hosted link or URL where the work can be viewed. (Must feature student group travel specifically, not family content)
Judging Criteria
All submissions are evaluated by the SYTA Communications Committee. Submissions are scored across five criteria. Each criterion carries a defined point value. The highest possible score is 100 points.
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Impact & Effectiveness — 25 points
Did the content reach its audience and drive results? Views, reach, engagement, bookings, inquiries, and measurable outcomes are all considered. Creating great content is only half the equation — distributing and promoting it is the other. Judges will evaluate impact relative to the size and resources of your organization.
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Creativity & Originality — 20 points
Is the concept fresh, innovative, and original? Judges are looking for a clear point of view and a creative approach that stands out. Content that deviates from the norm and takes creative risks will score highly here. Production budget is not a factor. A low-budget video with a bold creative idea can outscore a high-budget video with a forgettable premise.
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Authenticity & Storytelling — 20 points
Does it tell your unique story? Judges are looking for genuine experiences, honest storytelling, and content that reflects the heart of student group travel. Authentic content — rooted in real students, real trips, and real moments — is what moves audiences and builds trust. This criterion also rewards alignment with SYTA's core values including responsible travel, cultural respect, and inclusivity.
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Collaboration — 15 points
Was this content produced in partnership with one or more SYTA members? Judges are looking for meaningful collaboration between operators, suppliers, destinations, and other member types. If you partnered with another SYTA member to produce your submission, this is where that decision pays off.
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Audience Alignment — 10 points
Does the content clearly speak to its intended audience — students, parents, travel buyers, educators, or administrators? Judges will evaluate whether the tone, format, platform, and messaging reflect a deliberate and well-executed audience strategy. Student group travel content is a baseline requirement. This criterion rewards submissions that go beyond that requirement and demonstrate genuine strategic thinking about who they are trying to reach and why.
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Call to Action — 10 points
Does the content give its audience a clear next step? A phone number, a website, a QR code, a registration link — something that converts a viewer into a lead. This rewards members who connect their creative work to their business goals.
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★ THE GLOBIES ★
SYTA Annual Conference 2026
The Global Student Travel Marketing Awards
Ready to be recognized or to recognize a peer?
Submissions are open to all SYTA members. You may nominate your own work, a colleague’s work, or both. Before you click submit, make sure your video is hosted on YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive, or Dropbox and that the link is set to “Anyone with the link can view.” Review the categories and criteria above to make sure you are submitting to the right category.
★ ★ ★
Submission Deadline: Thursday, July 24, 2026
Winners Notified: Week of August 3, 2026
Awards Breakfast: Monday, August 24, 2026
| RULES | |
| SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS | |
| All content must be web-hosted and submitted as a viewable link. Accepted platforms: YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive, and Dropbox. Links must be set to "Anyone with the link can view" and must remain active through August 24, 2026. | |
| Non-English submissions must include English subtitles so the judging panel can evaluate the content fairly. | |
| If AI-generated video was used in your submission, this must be disclosed on the submission form. AI use in scripting, editing, music, or voiceover does not require disclosure. AI disclosure is provided to the judging panel as context and is not a disqualifying factor. | |
| There is no limit on the number of submissions per member. You may submit your own work, a colleague's work, or both. However, the same piece of content may only be submitted once and in one category. | |
| CONTENT REQUIREMENTS | |
| All submitted content must clearly feature student group travel. General tourism or destination marketing that does not specifically feature student groups will be disqualified. | |
| Content must have been produced or released between January 2025 and August 2026. | |
| The same piece of content may not be submitted in more than one category. Submitters must choose the single category that best represents their entry. | |
| Content must not be misleading, inaccurate, or misrepresentative of a destination, trip experience, or student outcome. | |
| Content must not contain offensive language, discriminatory imagery, unsafe behavior, or any material that conflicts with SYTA's values. Disqualification for content standard violations is at the committee's discretion. | |
| Submitters are responsible for obtaining all necessary permissions and release forms for individuals appearing in their submitted content. | |
| ELIGIBILITY | |
| Submissions are open to all SYTA members and industry professionals. | |
| Only SYTA members in good standing at the time of judging may win. | |
| Non-members may be submitted. If a non-member advances to the finalist round, SYTA staff will contact them about membership. Membership must be completed prior to the submission deadline of July 24, 2026 to be eligible to win. | |
| Submissions must be made through the official Globies submission form. Email submissions will not be accepted. | |
| AWARD ACCEPTANCE | |
| Winners may accept their award in person in Pittsburgh or via a pre-recorded video submitted to SYTA staff by August 17, 2026. | |
| In-person attendance is not required to submit or win. | |
| Winners have the right to decline the award. If an award is declined, it will be offered to the next eligible finalist. | |
| All nominators will be notified of the outcome regardless of whether their submission won. | |
| JUDGING PROCESS | |
| All submissions are reviewed by the SYTA Communications Committee for eligibility. The committee narrows the field to a curated finalist list. | |
| Finalists are scored by the full committee using a weighted criteria scorecard. All scores are submitted anonymously. | |
| Committee members with a direct conflict of interest in any submission must recuse themselves from scoring that entry. A replacement judge will be assigned by SYTA staff. | |
| In the event of a tied score after weighted criteria are applied, judges will assemble in odd numbers and select the winner from the two tied submissions. | |
| SYTA is committed to a fair, unbiased, and inclusive judging process. The committee will evaluate all submissions equally regardless of the size, budget, or profile of the submitting organization. | |
| Beginning in 2027, a high-level Advisory Board of marketing professionals will select final winners from the finalist list provided by the Communications Committee. | |
Disclaimers
On Video Length
There is no minimum or maximum video length requirement. Short-form TikTok-style content and long-form documentary-style content are both eligible. If your video exceeds five minutes, we strongly encourage you to provide a separate 30 to 90 second highlight clip. This clip may be used in conference programming and SYTA promotional content.
On Production Quality
The Globies are open to every budget and every production style. Smartphone videos are fully eligible. Production value is not a judging criterion.
On AI
The use of AI tools in content creation is permitted and does not affect eligibility. If AI-generated video was used, it must be disclosed on the submission form. This information is shared with the judging panel as context only.
On Language & Accessibility
Non-English submissions must include English subtitles. SYTA is committed to accessibility and encourages all members to consider accessibility standards in their content creation.
On Previously Awarded Content
Content that has won another industry award remains eligible for submission to The Globies.
On Conflicts of Interest
SYTA staff and Communications Committee members are bound by a conflict of interest policy. Any judge with a direct professional relationship to a submitting organization will be recused from scoring that entry.
Terms & Conditions
Proper permissions & rights confirmed
You confirm that you have obtained all necessary permissions, release forms, and consents from individuals appearing in your submitted content and that you have the right to submit this content on behalf of your organization.
License granted to SYTA/GCS usage
You grant SYTA and Golden Corral a limited, non-exclusive license to share, screen, and promote your submitted content for the purposes of The Globies awards program, the SYTA Annual Conference, and related SYTA marketing and communications. This license does not transfer ownership of your content.
Information must be accurate
You confirm that all information provided in your submission is accurate and complete. Misrepresentation of any kind is grounds for immediate disqualification and may result in ineligibility for future years of the program.
SYTA may disqualify submissions
You understand that SYTA staff and the Communications Committee reserve the right to disqualify any submission that does not meet the eligibility requirements or content standards outlined in these rules.
No trademark use without approval
Submitters and winners may not use the SYTA or Golden Corral name, logo, or trademarks in connection with their submission or award without prior written approval from SYTA.
Award win can be promoted
Winners who accept their award grant SYTA and Golden Corral the right to reference and promote their win in association with The Globies program in perpetuity.
Judging decisions are final
You acknowledge that judging decisions made by the SYTA Communications Committee and Advisory Board are final.
No implied endorsement by SYTA
Submission to and participation in The Globies does not constitute an endorsement of any submitting organization, its products, or its services by SYTA or Golden Corral.
Event changes not SYTA liability
In the event that the SYTA Annual Conference or the awards session is cancelled or postponed due to circumstances beyond SYTA’s control, SYTA will make every effort to fulfill the awards program in an alternative format. SYTA is not liable for any costs or losses incurred by submitters as a result of cancellation or postponement.
Governed by Virginia Law
This program is governed by the laws of the State of Virginia. Any disputes arising from participation in The Globies will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Virginia.
No Guarantee of Finalist Status
You understand that submission does not guarantee finalist status or an award.
By clicking Submit on the nomination form, you confirm that you have read and agree to these Terms and Conditions.
Questions? Contact Reed Warner, Director of Business Development rwarner@syta.org · 703-610-1271 · syta.org
The Globies · SYTA Annual Conference · Pittsburgh · August 24, 2026