Women from Pierre and Chamberlain were among the recipients of the South Dakota Department of Tourism’s annual awards handed out this week (Jan. 20, 2022).
The Department honored tourism professionals and businesses from across the state for their loyalty, commitment and passion for the state’s tourism industry.
The Ruth Ziolkowski Outstanding Hospitality & Customer Service Award is given annually to four industry members, each representing a tourism region of South Dakota. This award recognizes tourism industry professionals who provide remarkable service to visitors and whose work demonstrates an outstanding spirit of hospitality. These awards were given to:
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Wanda Bunker from the Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center of Chamberlain
Wanda Bunker from the Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center of Chamberlain received one of the South Dakota Department of Tourism’s Ruth Ziolkowski Outstanding Hospitality & Customer Service Awards (Jan. 20, 2022).
Photo credit South Dakota Department of Tourism. -
Jeff Oldham from Reptile Gardens of Rapid City
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Prudy Calvin from the Mellette House in Watertown
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Bruce Cull from the National Field Archery Association in Yankton
The Ben Black Elk Award is a prestigious honor recognizing an individual who makes outstanding contributions to the state’s visitor industry. This year’s award was given to both:
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Karen Kern formerly with South Dakota Missouri River Tourism Association in Pierre
Karen Kern, formerly with South Dakota Missouri River Tourism Association in Pierre, was one of the Ben Black Elk Award winners (Jan. 20, 2022).
Photo credit South Dakota Department of Tourism. -
Jan Grunewaldt of Regency Hotel Management in Sioux Falls
The coveted Rooster Rush Cacklin’ Community Award was presented to Aberdeen for their marketing tactics, community involvement and hospitality focused on boosting the pheasant hunting experience in South Dakota.
The Governor’s Tourism Rising Star Award – an award new to the conference – was presented to Sarah Kills In Water of Mission. This award recognizes an individual who has worked in the tourism industry for 2-4 years and is excelling in their career, showing a bright future in the tourism industry.
The George S. Mickelson Award went to AmericInn by Wyndham Belle Fourche. This award honors businesses, communities or organizations that have done an exemplary job of customer service and exceeding visitor expectations.
Rushmore Tramway Adventures, Keystone, was awarded the Peter Norbeck Excellence in Tourism Innovation Award, an award given to an industry partner for their innovative thinking in making their destination, business or attraction even more appealing to visitors.
The A. H. Pankow Award recognizes a representative of the media for showing superior interest in and coverage of South Dakota’s tourism industry. This year’s award went to NewsCenter1, located in Rapid City, for their continued coverage of the tourism industry, especially in the Black Hills, and their attention to the economic impact that tourism has on South Dakota.
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