Destination Hilliard earned recognition for all five entries it submitted to the Ohio Travel Association’s 2026 RUBY Awards.
The city's tourism organization submitted five entries to the Ohio Travel Association's Recognizing Uncommon Brilliance Yearly (RUBY) Awards, and all five were named finalists, according to Destination Hilliard. The organization brought home one full RUBY Award, two Citations of Excellence and two additional finalist nods.
The competition drew a record 276 entries across 17 categories, according to Knox Pages. The awards, sponsored by Ohio Magazine, were presented during the Ohio Conference on Travel, held Wednesday, Oct. 7, through Friday, Oct. 9, at the Roberts Centre.
"Winners truly represent the best of the best in marketing strategy and design in Ohio's travel industry," Ohio Travel Association executive director Melinda Huntley said at the ceremony, as Knox Pages reported.
The five entries
The biggest win went to DestinationHilliard.org. Designer Gabe Gunlock worked with the organization over four years to overhaul the site with a focus on user experience, connecting visitors with local businesses, attractions and events.
The monthly newsletter earned a Citation of Excellence for keeping residents and visitors informed about local happenings. The America 250 Activation, which connected visitors with local history through initiatives including the Hilliard History Express, also earned a Citation of Excellence.
Two entries received finalist recognition. The Iced Coffee Trail, which guides visitors through Hilliard's coffee shops, was a finalist for Best New Experience. The Hilliard History Express was a finalist for the Spirit of Community Award.
History Express earns back-to-back RUBY recognition
The History Express is no stranger to these awards. It won the Spirit of Community RUBY Award in October 2025 and returned this year as a finalist in the same category.
Samantha Brill of Destination Hilliard conceived the program after taking a walking tour of Old Hilliard and learning about school tours run by the Hilliard Ohio Historical Society, according to the society's May 2026 newsletter. The program pairs third-grade students with a local business owner and a historical society representative. The society reported participating in seven sessions by May 2026,
The initiative features train sculptures inspired by student drawings. It was built through partnerships among Destination Hilliard, Hilliard City Schools, the Hilliard Ohio Historical Society and the City of Hilliard.
Destination Hilliard said it plans to continue building on the Hilliard History Express in 2027.
