During the more than six decades since our founding in 1949, Azumano Travel has been recognized on numerous occasions for a variety of achievements. We have been ranked repeatedly among the nation’s top travel management companies and diversity-owned businesses. We have also been recognized frequently for our overall performance, customer service, involvement in the community and embrace of environmentally responsible practices.

We are especially proud of the many awards our owner, Sho Dozono, has received personally. Sho, however, is quick to share honors with the entire staff and insists, “The individual abilities of my staff, the dedication of our managers and the team effort everyone puts forth, day in and day out, give me a comfort zone that lets me devote time to outside endeavors.”

To be sure, we take pride in our accomplishments—both individually and collectively—but we also take care to remain focused on the deed, and not on the reward.

Other awards and recognition:

• Reach One, Teach One award presented December 2008 to Sho Dozono by the North/Northeast Business Association recognizing Dozono “as a business owner community role model, asset to our community and the lightning rod to make things happen when he sees a need, because he really cares.”
   
• James H. Rudd Commitment to Service Award presented to Sho Dozono for "supporting the community through active participation in United Way and servicing in many leadership capacities, including board chair and head of United Way’s community campaign,” September 18, 2008.
   
• 2nd Annual "Drum Major" Award presented to Sho Dozono by the Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church in Portland, Oregon, for "Living the Dream" in the spirit of "Drum Major" Martin Luther King, Jr., January 20, 2008.
   
• World Travel Market (WTM) Global Award presented November 12, 2007, to Azumano president and CEO Sho Dozono by WTM Chairman Fiona Jeffery in recognition of Dozono's "remarkable contribution to the travel industry with the U.S. region." Dozono was nominated for this award by Travel Weekly editor-in-chief Arnie Weissmann.
   
• 2007 Japanese Foreign Minister's Award presented September 14, 2007, to Azumano president and CEO Sho Dozono by the Consul General of Japan, Mr. Akio Egawa, in recognition of Dozono's "countless contributions to friendly and harmonious relations between Japan and the United States."
   
• Azumano Travel ranked #23 on the 2007 Minority Business News USA 100 List, June 2007.
   
• Awarded Certificate of Achievement in January 2007 by the Society of Government Travel Professionals (SGTP) for its role in Flight For Freedom 2006, a journey to New York City by "goodwill ambassadors" from Oregon in commemoration of the five-year anniversary of the original Flight For Freedom, organized in the aftermath of 9-11. The project was spearheaded by Azumano owner Sho Dozono and his wife, Loen, and executed by agency staff.
   
• Torchbearer Award presented February 16, 2006, to Azumano president and CEO Sho Dozono by the Equity Foundation in recognition of his “profound commitment to building a strong and diverse Oregon.”
   
• The Azumano Travel Show named by the Oregon Association of Broadcasters as the 2005 Best Original Program produced by station, metro radio (KPAM-AM).
   
• 2005 Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Awardpresented December 1, 2005, to Azumano president and CEO Sho Dozono by the Oregon Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals in recognition of "outstanding and creative leadership in the field of philanthropy and community service which has significantly enhanced the well being of the institutions and the citizens of the state of Oregon and Southwestern Washington."
   
• 2005 Angel Award presented to Sho Dozono on November 1, 2005, by the Cascade AIDS Project "in recognition for exceptional volunteer service."
   
• 2004 Ambassador Extraordinaire, presented to Azumano president and CEO Sho Dozono by the Consul General of Japan at the Oregon Consular Corps Annual Dinner January 13, 2005. The award acknowledged Dozono’s “continuing efforts to involve Oregon in an international environment.”
   
• 2004 James DePreist Award for Excellence presented to Sho Dozono by Volunteers of America Oregon at a special tribute dinner January 29, 2004, at the Oregon Convention Center. The award was created “to recognize individuals who exceed expectations and whose leadership has helped to build our community, leaving a legacy for our city.
   
• Named a Best of the West travel agency by TravelAge West Magazine (#7 among leading revenue producers of the 14 states of the western region), August 2003.
   
• 2003 Citizen of the World award presented to Sho Dozono by the Japan America Society of Oregon in recognition of “his many contributions towards promoting U.S.-Japan relations and his enduring support of the Japan-America Society of Oregon.”
   
• 2003 City of New York Fire Department award presented to Azumano Travel “in appreciation of its generosity and support in the aftermath of September 11, 2001.”
   
• 2002 ASTA Travel Agent of the Year awarded to Sho Dozono, at the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) World Travel Congress in Honolulu, Hawaii, November 3-8, 2002.
   
• Terry Bradshaw’s Pick of the Week, July 29, 2002, for “the special pride reflected at Azumano Travel combined with outstanding customer service and innovation.”
   
• AAA Travel 2002, 2003 & 2004 Air Partner of the Year award presented to Premier Gateway, international air ticket consolidator and affiliate company of Azumano Travel.
   
• 2002 Governor’s Tourism Award presented to Azumano president and CEO, Sho Dozono, as "the individual who most embodies a statewide spirit of cooperation and involvement in Oregon’s visitor industry development."
   
• Stop Oregon Litter and Vandalism (SOLV) 2002 Tom McCall Leadership Award presented to Sho Dozono for “his years of service to numerous Oregon community and business groups, and for his leadership in promoting Oregon’s economy and sense of civic pride to national and international audiences.”
   
• Portland Oregon Visitors Association (POVA) 2002 Portland Award presented to Sho Dozono for "his overall contribution to the promotion of the visitor industry."
   
• US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPACC) Award of Excellence in Community Service presented May 7, 2002, to Sho Dozono for “his hard work, perseverance and contributions to the American way of life.”
   
• 2002 Oregon Association of Broadcasters Award presented to Sho Dozono for “distinguished service to the state and nation.”
   
• Sho Dozono selected as a 2002 Olympic Winter Games Torchbearer for the Columbia River Region.
   
• 2002 Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs Chairman’s Award presented to Sho Dozono in recognition of “outstanding service to Oregon’s Minority Business Community through leadership in the Portland Chamber of Commerce.”
   
• 2001 Japan-America Society of Oregon International Business Achiever Award presented to Azumano Travel in recognition of its “long-term commitment to the Japanese market.”
   
• American Express 2001 Great Performers Award presented to Sho Dozono and Azumano Travel for “unparalleled customer service.”
   
• 2001 Spirit of Portland Award awarded to Sho Dozono and Azumano Travel for their “show of support for the community and the country in the aftermath of September 11, 2001.”
   
• 2001 Governor’s Freedom Award presented to Sho Dozono for “turning a vision into reality through the Flight For Freedom which sent 1,000 Oregonians to New York City October 4-9, 2001. Flight For Freedom united Oregonians and New Yorkers, brought positive, international exposure to Oregon's economic efforts and sent a message to our nation that we will remain strong and free."