The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, led by Commissioner Joseph Boschulte and Assistant Commissioner Alani Henneman, attended the 2023 Educational Seminar for Tourism Organisations (ESTO) in Savannah, Georgia. ESTO is the premier annual learning and knowledge-sharing forum for destination marketing professionals.
"Venturing Out: St. Croix," an electrifying three-part video series that captures the essence of adventure and discovery, commissioned by the Department of Tourism, received the prestigious Brand USA 2023 Video Storytelling Awards. The series follows host Creighton as he delves into the heart of wild landscapes, uncovering the true essence of living life to the fullest.
Joseph Boschulte, Commissioner of the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, said: "It is a great honour to be recognized by the Brand USA team for our work in video storytelling. This award and the campaign ‘Venturing Out: St. Croix’ reflects our team's commitment to authentically share the stories of the U.S. Virgin Islands."
"On behalf of the USVI, the Department of Tourism, and our partners, I want to thank Brand USA for this acknowledgment." The award was presented to Commissioner Boschulte and Assistant Commissioner Henneman during a networking luncheon at the Savannah Convention Centre.
In addition to the awards, the USVI team participated in various educational sessions, including a TikTok expert panel where Commissioner Boschulte shared about the department's emerging plan to enhance social engagement and reach through the platform.
Assistant Commissioner Henneman, who leads marketing and communications for the department, shared: "As we continue to grow our social reach, platforms like TikTok allow us to hit new and emerging target demographics while sharing authentic content reflective of our destination." The four-day conference wrapped up with the Destiny and Mercury Awards Dinner, where USVI finished amongst the top three finalists for the Mercury Award for Special Activations.