The Association of Destination Management Executives (ADME) announced Thursday their nominees for the 2010 ADME Achievement Awards. metroConnections, Inc. received a nomination for Best Transportation Logistics. Only programs that occurred between September 1, 2008 and August 31, 2009 were eligible for this award. This marks the first year that metroConnections has been nominated in this category.

From June 29 to July 10, 2009, metroConnections, Inc. serviced the national and international delegations of the Lions Clubs International and provided a variety of transportation services including motorcoach shuttle services, customized VIP transportation services, group tours, tour registration services and airport meet and greet services for the annual convention in Minneapolis. Despite a $41 million dollar congestion-reducing road construction project throughout the heart of Downtown that disrupted major thoroughfares, metroConnections was able to navigate 12,000 attendees through the city while utilizing 10 cleverly designed shuttle routes and more than 400 vehicles over the 10-day convention.

Sam Thompson, President and founder of metroConnections, is a finalist in the category of Destination Management Professional of the Year. The Destination Management Professional of the Year Award recognizes an individual who has given their time, dedication, leadership, and knowledge towards the advancement of the destination management industry.

Thompson served on ADME’s board for six years and was president in 2004. While president, Thompson overhauled the management team with a very thorough selection process; ADME has grown tremendously as a result. metroConnections, Inc., under Thompson’s ownership and leadership, has been named to Special Events Magazine’s TOP 25 DMC Worldwide list every year since 2006. He serves on the board of Meet Minneapolis; and in 2008, Thompson was appointed by Governor Tim Pawlenty to the Explore Minnesota Tourism Council and participated in a movement to travel with tourism leaders to Washington DC to push the Travel Promotion Act.

The winners of all Achievement Awards will be announced at the ADME Annual Conference in February at the Westin Buckhead in Atlanta, Ga.