GOVERNOR'S TOURISM AWARDS
The Governor's Tourism Awards recognize individuals and businesses in the travel and tourism industry that have shown dedication, creativity, and excellence. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Council on Tourism and Wisconsin's travel and tourism industry.
We've extended the deadline for submissions, to Friday, February 11!
Award Categories
The Governor’s Tourism Award for Arts, Culture & Heritage
This award will be presented to a business or destination that showcases the arts, culture or heritage for the enhancement of the tourism experience and economic well-being of a community.
The Governor’s Tourism Award for Arts, Culture & Heritage
This award will be presented to a business or destination that showcases the arts, culture or heritage for the enhancement of the tourism experience and economic well-being of a community.
This award will be presented to a business or destination that showcases the arts, culture or heritage for the enhancement of the tourism experience and economic well-being of a community.
The Governor’s Tourism Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion Award
This award will be presented to business or destination that has demonstrated leadership in raising awareness, or facilitating change, to build a more inclusive and welcoming environment for visitors to Wisconsin.
This award will be presented to business or destination that has demonstrated leadership in raising awareness, or facilitating change, to build a more inclusive and welcoming environment for visitors to Wisconsin.
The Governor’s Tourism Innovation Award
This award recognizes a business or community that has implemented a new strategy that has positively impacted their organization or destination through an innovative approach in technology, sustainability, adaptivity and/or the implementation of best practices. (Formerly the Stewardship Award)
The Governor’s Tourism Innovation Award
This award recognizes a business or community that has implemented a new strategy that has positively impacted their organization or destination through an innovative approach in technology, sustainability, adaptivity and/or the implementation of best practices. (Formerly the Stewardship Award)
This award recognizes a business or community that has implemented a new strategy that has positively impacted their organization or destination through an innovative approach in technology, sustainability, adaptivity and/or the implementation of best practices. (Formerly the Stewardship Award)
The Governor's Tourism Legacy Award
This award will be presented to an individual who has shown a long lasting and permanent contribution to the industry over the years. A nominee for this award should have twenty-five years or more of distinguished service to the tourism industry, including fifteen years or more in Wisconsin.
The Governor's Tourism Legacy Award
This award will be presented to an individual who has shown a long lasting and permanent contribution to the industry over the years. A nominee for this award should have twenty-five years or more of distinguished service to the tourism industry, including fifteen years or more in Wisconsin.
The Governor’s Tourism Rising Star Award
This award will be presented to an individual who is new to the tourism industry – within the last five years – and has shown leadership, commitment and a passion for Wisconsin’s tourism industry.
This award will be presented to an individual who is new to the tourism industry – within the last five years – and has shown leadership, commitment and a passion for Wisconsin’s tourism industry.
The Governor’s Tourism Service Excellence Award
This award will be presented to a business or individual that has achieved significant success and growth by providing exceptional service to their customers and a strong, charitable involvement in their community.
2021 AWARD RECIPIENTS
Award for Arts, Culture, & Heritage: Wormfarm Institute's Farm Art D'Tour
Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion Award: Rep Forward and Chief Diversity Officer Tammy Belton-Davis of Milwaukee Repertory Theater
Rising Star Award: Claire Koenig, Communications Director of VISIT Milwaukee
Service Excellence Award: Employee Meal Program, Geronimo Hospitality Group
Stewardship Award: Mammoth Hike Challenge, Ice Age Trail Alliance
Congratulations to all the nominees and award recipients recognized at the 2021 virtual Wisconsin Governor’s Council on Tourism (WIGCOT) awards ceremony.
Submit a Nomination
Please carefully review the following criteria before completing your nomination:
- Nominations can only be submitted electronically using the link below.
- Only one project per category can be submitted from an individual or organization.
- Multiple submissions for a single nominee will be reviewed and ranked as one nomination.
- Should a member of the Governor’s Tourism Awards Committee be nominated for an award, they may not vote on, or participate in the discussion of the category in which they were nominated.
- Current Department of Tourism staff may not be nominated, nor can they make nominations for the Governor’s Awards.
- All nominations must be received by the end of the day on Friday, February 4th, 2022 to be eligible for consideration.
Submission Process
Nomination Forms
Click one of the links below to download your desired nomination form (Word document). Once you have completed the form, upload to the Submission Portal using the link above or buttons below.
Nomination Forms
Click one of the links below to download your desired nomination form (Word document). Once you have completed the form, upload to the Submission Portal using the link above or buttons below.
Submission Portal
Before you can submit a nomination, please complete your nomination in a word format. On the submission link below complete the registration form, before you upload your nomination. Submission Portal.
If the submission portal isn't accepting your nomination paper, you can email it to Heidi Schultz at hschultz@travelwisconsin.com.
EXTENDED deadline is friday the 11 th of February
Questions
Please contact Heidi Schultz at (608) 669-6526 or hschultz@travelwisconsin.com with any questions regarding the nomination process. Any website issues/questions can be directed to Dawn Zanoni at dzanoni@travelwisconsin.com.
Past Award Recipients
2020
Rising Star Award: Cameryn Kwaterski, Executive Director of Visit Rome
Stewardship Award: Village of Egg Harbor
Award for Arts, Culture, & Heritage: Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel
Service Excellence Award: Heart of Canal Street, Potawatomi Hotel & Casino
Legacy Award: Deb Archer President and CEO of Destination Madison
2019
Rising Star Award: Cambria Mueller, Door County Visitor Bureau
Stewardship Award: Frog Bay Tribal National Park
Award for Arts, Culture, & Heritage: Peninsula School of Art
Service Excellence Award: Lars Johnson, Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant
Legacy Award: Trisha Pugal, CEO/President of WH&L
2018
Rising Star Award: Amy Gabay, Explore La Crosse
Stewardship Award: Cave of the Mounds
Award for Arts, Culture, & Heritage: Taliesin Preservation
Service Excellence Award: Ben Popp, American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation
Legacy Award: Kathy Kopp, Platteville Regional Chamber of Commerce
2017
Rising Star: Scott Liegl, Wausau/Central Wisconsin CVB
Stewardship: Joe Klimczak, Cave of the Mounds
Arts, Culture & Heritage: Brenda DeVita, American Players Theatre
Service Excellence: Joe Khairallah, Marcus Hotels & Resorts
Legacy: Gary Knowles, Knowles Communications
2016
Rising Star: Tim Hyma, Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce
Stewardship: Meuer Farm, Chilton
Arts, Culture & Heritage: Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum
Service Excellence: James Bolen, Cable Area Chamber of Commerce
Legacy: Allen Schroeder, Pendarvis Stonefield Historic Site and First Capitol Historic Site; Charles Wilkenhauser, Milwaukee County Zoo
2015
Rising Star: Brittany Berens, Superior/Douglas County Area Chamber & CVB
Stewardship: Little Lake Wissota Stewardship Project
Arts, Culture & Heritage: Racine Art Museum
Service Excellence: Wausau/Central Wisconsin CVB
Legacy: Dave Clements, La Crosse Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
2014
Rising Star: Michelle Voight, Washburn County Tourism Association
Stewardship: Pinehurst Inn
Arts, Culture & Heritage: Peninsula Players Theatre
Service Excellence: Monona Terrace Convention Center
Legacy: Lola Roeh, General Manager, The Osthoff Resort
2013
Rising Star: Kari Dawson, Real Racine
Stewardship: Town of Platteville, Wisconsin (accepted by Kathy Kopp, Platteville Area Chamber of Commerce)
Arts, Culture & Heritage: Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua (accepted by Terry Matier, Executive Director)
Service Excellence: Greg Vreeland, Northwest Wisconsin Mobile Travel Information Center
Legacy: Steve Marcus, The Marcus Corporation
2012
Rising Star: Brenda Krainik, Greater Green Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau
Stewardship: City of Middleton
Arts, Culture & Heritage: American Folklore Theater
Service Excellence: Lake Geneva Cruise Line
Legacy: William “Bill” Otto, Marcus Hotels & Resorts
2011
Rising Star: Jean Galasinki, Trempealeau County Tourism Council, Trempealeau Chamber of Commerce, Mississippi River Parkway Commission
Stewardship: Town of Bayfield, Wisconsin (accepted by Bayfield Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau)
Service Excellence: Mike Goodrich, Potawatomi Bingo Casino
Legacy: Ed Lump, Wisconsin Restaurant Association, Tourism Federation of Wisconsin; Dick Klopcic, Fireside Theatre
2010 - First Year
Rising Star: Theresa Nemetz, Milwaukee Food Tours
Stewardship: Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center
Service Excellence: Scott Krause, Heidel House Resort & Spa
Legacy: Ruth Goetz