Announcements

Tourism Industry Awards Presented

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Chadron State Park, Randy Kane and Carrie Frahm were announced as the award winners for the second annual tourism industry honors April 4.

Randy Kane, left, accepts the Volunteer of the Year award from Laure Sinn at the Treasure Chest tourism industry workshop April 4. Photo by Taylor Rempp
Carrie Frahm of Perk Up Java in Crawford addresses the audience at the Treasure Chest tourism industry workshop after being announced as the Frontline Employee of the Year by Laure Sinn, right, April 4. Photo by Taylor Rempp

The awards were presented at the fourth annual Treasure Chest of the Northwest event, which gathers members of the region’s tourism industry together for networking, a brochure exchange and informational programs. More than 80 industry members attended to watch the awards ceremony and take part in the activities.

Amber Skavdahl, Donita Morava and Deb Cottier, from left, visit with Wade Beins, right, during the brochure exchange and networking segment of Treasure Chest of the Northwest, the annual tourism industry workshop, on April 4. Photo by Brandon Davenport

Chadron State Park was named Business/Attraction of the Year for the region. Established in 1921, the park attracts an annual visitation of over 400,000 people, providing a significant economic impact to the community all year. Randy Kane, a volunteer at the Museum of the Fur Trade, was recognized for his efforts as Volunteer of the Year. Kane engages visitors to the museum and is knowledgeable about the many Northwest Nebraska historical events. The Frontline Employee of the Year went to Carrie Frahm of Perk Up Java in Crawford for making every visitor feel welcome and sharing information on what there is to see and do in the area with them.

Laure Sinn, left, presents Chadron State Park staff members Gregg Galbraith, Josh Mays, Debbon Shields and Jared Burch, with the Business/Attraction of the Year award April 4 at the annual tourism industry workshop. Photo by Taylor Rempp

Other nominees for the awards this year included Runza, Wild’s Bar and Grill staff members Cody Kronhofman and Willow Davies and Chadron State Park office manager Debbon Shields.

“One of Northwest Nebraska’s greatest assets is its people, and the tourism industry awards are meant to recognize the people who make it an enjoyable experience to visit the region. All of our nominees and award winners go above and beyond every day, making them tremendous mentors to those around them as we seek to grow the industry,” said Discover Northwest Nebraska Director Kerri Rempp. “Once again, our Treasure Chest workshop was a success as it saw growth over last year. The event is a great opportunity to network with colleagues and prepare for the upcoming tourism season.”

Valerie Homrighausen of Prairie Agate Rock Shop in Crawford provides a local business perspective to the audience at the Treasure Chest of the Northwest tourism industry workshop April 4. Photo by Brandon Davenport

Treasure Chest will take place again in April 2025, and nominations for the industry awards are open now on a rolling basis until March 1, 2025. Nominations can be submitted online at https://discovernwnebraska.com/industry-awards/.