Amtrak holds annual train travel video contest

Amtrak is looking for another winning video travelogue for its second Annual Amtrak TRAINsportation Video Contest.

The contest is open to all college students in Illinois, Michigan, Missouri and Wisconsin for the chance to win more than $3,000 worth of prizes, including a MacBook Air, a Fuji 3D digital camera and travel on Amtrak. Students can enter the contest by submitting a train travel-themed video by Feb. 28, 2011, through the amtraktrainsportationvideocontest.com website.

Submissions will be judged by industry experts, including Andrew Schneider, publisher/editor of Screen Magazine; Lori Rackl, travel editor of the Chicago Sun-Times; and Stephen Harris, director of nonfiction and alternative programming for A&E Television Network. Amtrak plans to use the winning video in future promotional campaigns.

"Last year's contest was a success in Illinois. Now, we're expanding to four states to get more college students excited about enjoying the journey on Amtrak," said Tracy Robinson, director of marketing for Amtrak. "This contest engages college students in a fun and exciting way, introducing them to the best option for travel to more than 500 destinations in 46 states. I'm looking forward to seeing the students' creativity."

Amtrak created this contest with the help of its marketing communications agency of record, IMAGES USA of Atlanta.