THE BEACHES OF FORT MYER & SANIBEL HONORED FOR BEST TRAVEL & ADVENTURE ONLINE FILM & VIDEO IN THE 18th ANNUAL WEBBY AWARDS [CITY, STATE] — [Date XX] – The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel announced today that its video Awaken has been honored for Best Travel & Adventure Online Film & Video in the 18th Annual Webby Awards. Hailed as the "Internet's highest honor" by The New York Times, The Webby Awards, presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS), is the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet. The IADAS, which nominates and selects The Webby Award Winners, is comprised of web industry experts, including media mogul Arianna Huffington, Skype CEO Tony Bates, Mozilla CEO and Chair Mitchell Baker, Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom, mobile- phone inventor Martin Cooper, and Creator of the Jif Steve Wilhite. Awaken is a five-minute digital experience that celebrates the exceptional ecological diversity found along The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel while immersing potential visitors in the destinations natural beauty. This first-of-its-kind film, shot with the latest photo, video, slow motion and time-lapse techniques, can be viewed on an enormous scale -- IMAX-sized – as well as shared on PCs and smartphones in ways that will delight travelers year-round and encourage visits to view these remarkable eco-seasons. "Honorees like The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel are setting the standard for innovation and creativity on the Internet," said David-Michel Davies, Executive Director of The Webby Awards. "It is an incredible achievement to be selected among the best from the 12,000 entries we received this year." “Earning this distinction acknowledges our team’s tremendous success and underscores the impressive results we deliver for our destination,” said Tamara Pigott, VCB executive director. “We are thrilled to earn this honor, especially in this extremely competitive arena.” The 18th Annual Webby Awards received 12,000 entries from over 60 countries and all 50 states. Out of all the 12,000 entries submitted, fewer than 15% received this honor and were deemed an Official Honoree. To view the full length Awaken film, visit www.FortMyers-Sanibel.com . About The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel [BOILER PLATE] About The Webby Awards: Hailed as the "Internet's highest honor" by The New York Times, The Webby Awards is the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet, including Websites, Interactive Advertising & Media, Online Film & Video, Mobile & Apps, and Social. Established in 1996, The Webby Awards received nearly 12,000 entries from all 50 states and over 60 countries worldwide this year. The Webby Awards is presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS). Sponsors and Partners of The Webby Awards include: Microsoft, Dell, Vitamin T, MailChimp, Engine Yard, Funny or Die, AdAge, Percolate, Mashable, Business Insider, Internet Week New York and Guardian News and Media. .