Visit Brookings, a tourism organization in Brookings, recently organized a week-long celebration to honor and appreciate the significant role played by the visitor industry in the city and the state. During this event, four exceptional individuals and organizations were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the tourism sector.
One of the recipients of the prestigious Larson Family Tourism Champion Award was Jeff Holm, the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Facilities and Operations at South Dakota State University. Holm and his team have been instrumental in promoting tourism by creating a welcoming environment for game-day fans, university students, and returning alumni.
Dex Stewart, General Manager of Hampton Inn & Suites, was awarded the Hospitality Hero Award. With 15 years of dedicated service at Hampton Inn & Suites, Stewart has set a remarkable standard for customer service and satisfaction.
The Brookings Marathon, led by Race Director Dani Bohn, received the Tourism Extra Mile Award. This year marks the 55th anniversary of the marathon, which has attracted numerous runners to the community since 1970, generating over $14 million in economic impact.
The Tourism Organization of the Year title was bestowed upon the Larson Ice Center, under the leadership of Director Parks, Recreation & Forestry Kristin Zimmerman. The center is renowned for hosting hockey tournaments, figure skating events, and curling activities that attract visitors during the winter months.
In addition to the award presentations, Visit Brookings took the opportunity to connect with over 250 frontline employees during National Travel and Tourism Week. This gesture aimed to acknowledge their significant contribution to the thriving $124.7 million visitor industry in Brookings.
The tourism awards not only recognize remarkable individuals and organizations but also highlight the vital role played by tourism in the city’s economy. These initiatives promote visitor engagement and enhance the overall experience, ensuring Brookings remains an attractive destination for travelers.
Posjet Brookings, turistička organizacija u Brookingsu, nedavno je organizirala proslavu tjedan dana kako bi odala priznanje i zahvalila značajnoj ulozi koju posjetiteljska industrija ima u gradu i državi. Tijekom ovog događaja, četiri iznimne osobe i organizacije su dobile priznanja za izuzetan doprinos turističkom sektoru.
Jedan od dobitnika prestižne nagrade Larson Family Tourism Champion bio je Jeff Holm, viši asocijacijski sportski direktor za objekte i operacije na South Dakota Državnom sveučilištu. Holm i njegov tim su imali ključnu ulogu u promicanju turizma stvaranjem gostoljubive okoline za navijače na dan utakmica, sveučilišne studente i bivše studente.
Dex Stewart, generalni menadžer Hampton Inn & Suites, dobio je nagradu Hospitality Hero. Sa 15 godina predanog služenja u Hampton Inn & Suites, Stewart je postavio izvanredan standard za korisničku uslugu i zadovoljstvo.
Maraton u Brookingsu, kojim rukovodi direktor utrke Dani Bohn, dobio je nagradu Tourism Extra Mile. Ove godine obilježava se 55. obljetnica maratona koji je od 1970. godine privukao brojne trkače u zajednicu, generirajući više od 14 milijuna dolara ekonomskog utjecaja.
Titula Turističke organizacije godine dodijeljena je Larson Ice Centru, pod vodstvom direktorice Parkova, Rekreacije i Šumarstva Kristin Zimmerman. Centar je poznat po organizaciji hokejaških turnira, događaja umjetničkog klizanja i curlinga koji privlače posjetitelje tijekom zimskih mjeseci.
Osim dodjele nagrada, Visit Brookings je iskoristio priliku za susret s više od 250 zaposlenika u turizmu tijekom Nacionalnog tjedna putovanja i turizma. Ovaj gest je imao za cilj priznati njihov značajan doprinos prosperitetnoj industriji posjetitelja vrijednoj 124,7 milijuna dolara u Brookingsu.
Turističke nagrade ne samo da prepoznaju iznimne pojedince i organizacije, već ističu i važnu ulogu koju turizam ima u gospodarstvu grada. Ove inicijative promoviraju angažman posjetitelja i unaprjeđuju ukupno iskustvo, osiguravajući da Brookings ostaje privlačna destinacija za putnike.