The nominees have been set for the first-ever Northwest Nebraska Tourism Industry Awards with a total of 12 nominees in 3 categories.
The winners will be announced at the 3rd annual Treasure Chest of the Northwest industry workshop April 20 in Chadron.
Northwest Nebraska Tourism Director Kerri Rempp says the awards were begun to “showcase the people and places who are going above and beyond to make visitors feel welcome and inspire them to return.”
There are two nominees for Business/Attraction of the Year: the Bean Broker Coffee House and Pub in Chadron and the Prairie Agate Rock Shop in Crawford.
The Bean Broker was nominated for its willingness to host events, provide a friendly atmosphere for business and leisure visitors and the readily-available tourism information on the region.
Prairie Agate Rock Shop was nominated for its uniqueness as a business that capitalizes on the region’s assets and the friendly, helpful nature of its ownership.
Two groups of volunteers and a single individual were nominated for Tourism Volunteer of the Year.
The Dawes County Historical Museum board and its roughly 40 volunteers were nominated for their shared vision to chronicle the region’s history.
The Sioux County Fair and Rodeo Board was nominated for pulling off a successful event without many resources since 1896.
Dave Hockenbary was nominated for his work with the Fur Trade Days board, having served two years as its president and as a still-willing committee member and volunteer.
Five nominees are vying for Frontline Employee of the Year, including two from the Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center – Laure Sinn for her warmth and knowledge of the area and Kouba for the exhibits she creates and atmosphere she helps provide.
Kennady Stack of the Bean Broker, Pam Wing of Country Kitchen and Brooklyn Anderson of Just Love Coffee each earned nominations for the friendly, helpful service they provide at their respective establishment
Rempp is continuing to urge those in the tourism industry to register for the Treasure Chest workshop on April 20 at 5:30 at the Dawes County Fairgrounds Events Center.
Rempp says everyone connected with tourism and visitors – event coordinators and business/attraction managers, owners and employees – will all benefit from the evening.
There will be networking, idea and information exchanges, a brochure swap, and speakers on topics that include hospitality and diversified marketing strategies.
The cost is just $5, payable at the door, to cover the cost of heavy appetizers provided by B&B Catering, but the reservation deadline is