Nominations Open for 34th Providencia Award

The mural of the Providencia ship, depicted on the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach building.

(Press Release) WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Jan. 26, 2026 – Discover The Palm Beaches (DTPB), the tourism marketing organization for Palm Beach County, is now accepting nominations for the prestigious 34th annual Providencia Award. The award honors a local business, organization or individual whose extraordinary contributions strengthen the vitality and prosperity of The Palm Beaches as a premier visitor destination. Nominations may be submitted online beginning today through the official Providencia Award application at ThePalmBeaches.com/Providencia-Award. The deadline for submissions is Friday, February 27, 2026.

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Every year, the Providencia Award celebrates exemplary leaders in tourism who advance the destination’s reputation through innovation, investment, community impact, and outstanding achievement.

As one of the leading industries in The Palm Beaches, tourism continues to be a vital economic engine for Palm Beach County and its residents. Tourism drives an $11.3 billion economic impact supporting nearly 95,000 local jobs in hospitality, retail, transportation, and entertainment. In addition, tourism helps to save each Florida household about $2,000 annually, driven by the tax revenue it generates.

“The Providencia Award recognizes the champions that elevate our destination and make The Palm Beaches an exceptional place to visit,” said Milton Segarra, CDME, president and CEO of DTPB. “This award honors leaders and organizations whose dedication drives our tourism industry forward – fueling a sector that contributes $11.3 billion to our economy and enhances quality of life and place for our residents.”

Nomination Period and Criteria

All nominations will be reviewed by the DTPB Providencia Committee, which is comprised of tourism professionals throughout the county who will narrow the list to three finalists. The public will then be invited to select the Providencia Award winner by voting online, beginning Monday, March 23 through Friday, April 17, 2026. This year’s Providencia Award winner will be announced during DTPB’s Travel Rally Day in the spring. Travel Rally Day is part of National Travel & Tourism Week through the U.S. Travel Association.

To qualify for the 34th Providencia Award, nominees must meet the following requirements:

• Must be a resident, or a business/organization located and conducting business in Palm Beach County, associated with the tourism, travel or hospitality sectors.
• Must contribute to the growth and vitality of the local tourism economy through outstanding service, initiatives, events, or expansion.
• Must implement innovative sales, marketing, public relations, and/or social media initiatives to enhance The Palm Beaches’ image.
• May not be an elected official or a Tourist Development Council agency-affiliated member or organization.
• Past recipients may be nominated again, provided at least five years have passed since they last received the award.