Destination Ann Arbor has earned a 2025 Stella Award from Northstar Meetings Group, receiving the Bronze honor in the “Best CVB/DMO – Midwest” category. The award recognizes outstanding achievement in service, innovation, and overall excellence in the meetings and events industry.

Destination Ann Arbor is the only Michigan destination recognized in this category in 2025, joining a select group of top-performing destination marketing organizations across the Midwest.

“To be selected by both meeting planners and a panel of respected judges is a tremendous honor,” said Al Snow, Director of Sales and Service at Destination Ann Arbor. “This recognition reflects the exceptional service our team provides to planners and the strong community collaboration that consistently makes the Ann Arbor area a standout choice for meetings and events.”

The Stella Awards are widely regarded as one of the meetings industry’s most prestigious honors. This year’s awards were selected from over 10,000 public votes and 1,009 nominations across the globe. After public voting, finalists submitted supporting materials and were evaluated by an expert judging panel of meeting professionals. Winners were determined based on a combination of votes and scores in categories such as customer service, innovation, food and beverage offerings, and sustainability.

The meetings and events sector is a vital part of Washtenaw County’s local economy. Each year, the Ann Arbor area hosts hundreds of meetings, conferences, and events, welcoming thousands of attendees who stay in local hotels, dine in local restaurants, and explore area attractions. The economic impact from the meetings sector fuels job creation and supports small businesses across Washtenaw County. Winning a Stella Award boosts the Ann Arbor area’s visibility on a national stage and reinforces the destination’s competitiveness for attracting future events.

"I am so proud of our Destination Ann Arbor team and honored to receive this year’s Bronze recognition as Best CVB/DMO in the Midwest category,” said Sarah Miller, President & CEO of Destination Ann Arbor. “The team’s dedication to our clients, partners, and our destination shines through every day, and I can’t think of a more deserving group of professionals for this award. I’m grateful to the judging panel of meeting professionals for recognizing the commitment and passion I have the privilege of witnessing daily."

This recognition marks back-to-back national honors for Destination Ann Arbor in the meetings space. In 2024, the organization was named a Best CVB/DMO winner in Meetings Today’s “Best Of” Awards. The Stella Award further affirms a winning streak of industry recognition for the area.

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