The South Dakota Dept of Tourism recently announced its annual awards recognizing outstanding tourism industry members and businesses across the state for their loyalty, commitment, and passion for the state’s tourism industry.
The Ben Black Elk Award recognizing an individual who makes outstanding contributions to the state’s visitor industry was given posthumously to long-time Visit Rapid City executive director Julie Schmitz Jensen, who passed away last year.
Visit Rapid City Destination Manager Shelby Solano received the Rising Star Award for excellence by an individual who has worked in the tourism industry for 2 to 4 years.
The Shady Rest Motel in Custer took home the George S Mickelson Award for exceeding customer service expectations by a South Dakota Great Place designation
The Ruth Ziolkowski Outstanding Hospitality & Customer Service Award is given to professionals who provide remarkable service to visitors and whose work demonstrates an outstanding spirit of hospitality.
One individual is selected from each of the 4 tourism regions in South Dakota. This year’s winners were Ann Thompson with Affordable Adventures in Rapid City, Lisa Marotz of McCrory Gardens in Brookings, Lori Owens from Drifters Bar and Grille in Fort Pierre, and Troy Magnuson of the Mitchell Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Peter Norbeck Excellence in Tourism Innovation Award went to the community of Freeman and its South Dakota Chislic Festival while the Rooster Rush Cacklin’ Community Award was presented to the community of Miller.
KELOLAND TV chief photographer Kevin Kjerggaard (KEER’-gard), featured on CBS Sunday Morning 14 times in its Do Nothing For 2 Minutes segment, received the A-H Pankow Award for superior media interest in and coverage of the tourism industry.