The recipients of the 2024 AdWheel Grand Awards imagined and executed compelling campaigns that have increased ridership, boosted sales, recruited and retained transit operators, won funds for agency investments, and earned the public’s trust. These 15 esteemed organizations are drawn from nearly 300 entries. They come from four groups: small, medium, and large transit systems, based on annual ridership; and APTA business members.
| System/Business | Entry Title | Category | Subcategory | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Transit Commission | Be Essential | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 4: Providing 50 million or more annual passenger trips |
| Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority | Greater Dayton RTA - Caring for our Community | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 2: Providing more than 3 million but fewer than 15 million annual passenger trips |
| Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) | HUZZAH! MVTA's Campaign to Reduce Traffic Congestion | Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales | Special Event | Group 1: Providing 3 million or fewer annual passenger trips |
| California High-Speed Rail Authority | I Will Ride Student Outreach Program, California High-Speed Rail Authority | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 5: Business members |
| Kansas City Streetcar Authority | KC Streetcar - "Next Stop: Love What You Do" Employee Recruitment Campaign | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Social Media | Group 1: Providing 3 million or fewer annual passenger trips |
| Lane Transit District | Lane Transit District Recruitment Campaign | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 2: Providing more than 3 million but fewer than 15 million annual passenger trips |
| RideCo Inc. | Milpitas SMART, the Smart Way for Milpitas Residents to Travel Around Town | Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 5: Business members |
| Milwaukee County Transit System | Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) Averts Fiscal Cliff with “Save The Bus” Campaign | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 3: Providing more than 15 million but fewer than 50 million annual passenger trips |
| Q'Straint/Sure-Lok | Q'Straint "Put a Q in it" | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 5: Business members |
| Mid-Region Council of Governments | Rio Metro RTD Rail Safety PSA | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Electronic Media | Group 1: Providing 3 million or fewer annual passenger trips |
| AC Transit (Alameda Contra-Costa Transit District) | Spring Into Your New Career Hiring Event | Best Marketing and Communications on Workforce Development | Special Event | Group 3: Providing more than 15 million but fewer than 50 million annual passenger trips |
| Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) | Student Adventure Pass | Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 2: Providing more than 3 million but fewer than 15 million annual passenger trips |
| Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority | Taylor Swift Eras Tour Special Service | Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 4: Providing 50 million or more annual passenger trips |
| Calgary Transit | Transit Trailblazers Scavenger Hunt | Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative | Special Event | Group 4: Providing 50 million or more annual passenger trips |
| Valley Metro | Valley Metro Super Bowl Campaign | Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales | Comprehensive Campaign | Group 3: Providing more than 15 million but fewer than 50 million annual passenger trips |
