Six receive Visit Owatonna tourism awards for their contributions
OWATONNA — Six individuals were recognized for their dedication to the local tourism industry Thursday afternoon.
Jerry Ganfield with the Steele County Historical Society, Vicki Lysne with Comfort Inn, James “Corky” Ebeling with Owatonna Parks and Recreation, Jack Spitzack with Baymont Inn and Suites, Nancy Morness with The Kernel Restaurant, and Tom Brick with Owatonna Shoe received awards during the 2017 Visit Owatonna Tourism Awards Luncheon at the Steele County History Center.
“There are hundreds of people in this community who contribute to the tourism industry, so if you know those people, make sure to thank them this week in particular since it is National Travel and Tourism Week,” said Katie Godfrey, Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism director of conventions and tourism. “We are going to be honoring six of those individuals that have just stood above and beyond and have fallen into the wide array of the tourism categories.”
About 60 people attended the luncheon, which was held by the Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, featuring a lasagna lunch and a short program.
Individuals received awards in the categories of attraction, customer service, events, lodging, restaurant and retail for their dedication to tourism in Owatonna.
Godfrey said the individuals were selected from “quite a few” nominations by a committee comprised of business and community leaders after a public nomination process earlier this spring.
Ganfield, who was first elected to the Steele County Historical Society Board in November 1998 and has served as a volunteer and a board member on and off since then received the tourism award in the attraction category.
“He has worked on many maintenance projects in the Village [of Yesteryear], chairing moves and the restoration of three buildings, and chaired the building committee for the History Center completed in 2012,” Godfrey read. “Jerry says, ‘I most enjoy sharing with visitors during the summer tours the development and history of Steele County and learning of visitors’ own experiences, just as I had previously enjoyed being a tour group escort to the National Parks and European destinations for 12 years.’”
His nominator wrote, “If you need to know something about Owatonna or Steele County history, Jerry is an expert. If you look up the definition of ‘volunteer,’ it fits the person that Jerry is: a person who gives willingly of himself to take part in a task, to take freely of his time and talents. Jerry is a wonderful asset to tourism in Owatonna.”
Lysne, who is the general manager at Comfort Inn, received the tourism award in the customer service category.
“When asked how many years she has been working in the local tourism industry, Vicki Lysne ... said, ‘When I started I had no idea how long I would do this. My youngest was starting kindergarten at the time, and he left for college three years ago,’” Godfrey said.
Her nominator wrote, “Vicki gives great customer service for the hotel, has a strong passion for serving guests and also strives to show them what a wonderful community and city this place is, with many options for parks, trails, events, the downtown shops and more. With service like her, it keeps guests coming and staying at Comfort Inn time and time again. She has great knowledge and skills and puts in endless hours with a determination to help Owatonna grow.”
Godfrey said Comfort Inn recently received the “distinctive Gold Award,” representing the top 10 percent of the brand for Choice Hotels International, and Lysne said that recognition, as well as the tourism award, are thanks to a team of dedicated to a “commitment of excellence.”
Ebeling, director of Owatonna Parks and Recreation, has worked for the city of Owatonna within the department for nearly 40 years. He received the tourism award in the events category.
His nominator wrote, “He has been a great asset to the tourism industry in Owatonna. He encourages the staff at Parks and Recreation to implement new events throughout the year. Since he has become the director, there have been many new events added, including the Trick or Treat Trail, which had an estimated attendance of 4,000 people last year; Movies in the Park; the Munchkin Market and much more. Corky is always looking for new ways to bring visitors to Owatonna.”
Ebeling said he enjoys observing people, especially families, smiling and enjoying themselves and Parks and Rec events, Godfrey said.
He accepted the award on behalf of the entire department of “dedicated and outstanding staff” who organize, manage, work and maintain all of its special events, programs, facilities, parks and trails.
Spitzack, president and CEO of Lasson Management and chief manager and owner of Baymont Inn and Suites – Owatonna, received the tourism award in the lodging category.
“[He] has been involved with Owatonna tourism for 25 years since the opening of AmericInn Motel and Suites, now Baymont Inn and Suites – Owatonna,” Godfrey said.
“His nominator wrote, “Jack has a passion for the hospitality business and providing a premier property in the Owatonna area. Those who work with him on a daily basis appreciate his commitment to providing an excellent property that continues to be productive and successful. Jack brings a positive aspect to everything he does. He is a man that knows no boundaries and embraces life. Jack continues to provide management and staff of the Baymont Hotel and Suites with the motto of ‘adhere and prosper.’ Not be drive just by profit, but by human values that recognize talent, so the hotel and Lasson Management will continue to prosper within the community of Owatonna.
Spitzack said his favorite part about the lodging hospitality industry in Owatonna is the business venture, real estate operation and delivering what guests want and need during their stay in Owatonna.
Morness, who has worked as a waitress at The Kernel Restaurant for 37 years, received the tourism award in the restaurant category.
Her nominator wrote, “After 37 years working as a waitress at The Kernel, Nancy Morness is a huge part of the successes and great service that The Kernel has come to be so well-known for. Nancy is the definition of a day’s hard work. She runs all day long serving a full restaurant, and she does it all with a smile on her face as she knows customer service is important. To top it off, she returns home and extends the same positive service to her family every chance she gets. Nancy is a giver to all ends and she surprised people every day with how much good hard work can do to get this done.”
Morness’ favorite memory at The Kernel Restaurant, Godfrey said, was when a couple visiting from out of town found out it was her birthday and played the birthday song and shared some of their favorite beef jerky and a set of steak knives.
Brick, who has owned Owatonna Shoe for more than 45 years, received the tourism award in the retail category.
His nominator wrote, “Over the years, Tom has invested countless hours of personal time and business resources, and brought people together to collaborate on how to get more people into Owatonna and shopping in Owatonna. He continues to take community and retail needs upon himself by walking door to door, initiating connections with business owners and sharing his many years of experience with others, modeling what it truly means to be part of the business community.”
Brick, Godfrey said, has always tried to treat patrons how he’d like to be treated. He is “constantly telling people about Owatonna and its many qualities.”
After the program, individuals were invited to visit the exhibitions at the History Center or partake in a tour at the Village of Yesteryear.
Godfrey said the awards luncheon was the first held in at least five years to recognize those who play an important role in the city’s tourism.
“This week is National Travel and Tourism Week, and it’s a week that we take to thank and celebrate the many people who contribute to our local tourism industry and the economic impact that the service they do has on our community,” she said.
At a national level, the tourism industry supports the livelihoods of more than 15 million Americans and is one of Minnesota’s largest industries. In Steele County, there are more than 1,500 tourism-related jobs and direct traveler spending generates $4.5 million in sales tax, according to Explore Minnesota data.
“Each and every one of us has a big impact on tourism, each and every one of us helps sell tourism as they come, each and every one of us help the tourist people come in and give them guides, refreshments and a warm welcoming,” said Owatonna Mayor Tom Kuntz. “That’s all very, very good.”
Source: Southernminn.com
Jerry Ganfield with the Steele County Historical Society, Vicki Lysne with Comfort Inn, James “Corky” Ebeling with Owatonna Parks and Recreation, Jack Spitzack with Baymont Inn and Suites, Nancy Morness with The Kernel Restaurant, and Tom Brick with Owatonna Shoe received awards during the 2017 Visit Owatonna Tourism Awards Luncheon at the Steele County History Center.
“There are hundreds of people in this community who contribute to the tourism industry, so if you know those people, make sure to thank them this week in particular since it is National Travel and Tourism Week,” said Katie Godfrey, Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism director of conventions and tourism. “We are going to be honoring six of those individuals that have just stood above and beyond and have fallen into the wide array of the tourism categories.”
About 60 people attended the luncheon, which was held by the Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, featuring a lasagna lunch and a short program.
Individuals received awards in the categories of attraction, customer service, events, lodging, restaurant and retail for their dedication to tourism in Owatonna.
Godfrey said the individuals were selected from “quite a few” nominations by a committee comprised of business and community leaders after a public nomination process earlier this spring.
Ganfield, who was first elected to the Steele County Historical Society Board in November 1998 and has served as a volunteer and a board member on and off since then received the tourism award in the attraction category.
“He has worked on many maintenance projects in the Village [of Yesteryear], chairing moves and the restoration of three buildings, and chaired the building committee for the History Center completed in 2012,” Godfrey read. “Jerry says, ‘I most enjoy sharing with visitors during the summer tours the development and history of Steele County and learning of visitors’ own experiences, just as I had previously enjoyed being a tour group escort to the National Parks and European destinations for 12 years.’”
His nominator wrote, “If you need to know something about Owatonna or Steele County history, Jerry is an expert. If you look up the definition of ‘volunteer,’ it fits the person that Jerry is: a person who gives willingly of himself to take part in a task, to take freely of his time and talents. Jerry is a wonderful asset to tourism in Owatonna.”
Lysne, who is the general manager at Comfort Inn, received the tourism award in the customer service category.
“When asked how many years she has been working in the local tourism industry, Vicki Lysne ... said, ‘When I started I had no idea how long I would do this. My youngest was starting kindergarten at the time, and he left for college three years ago,’” Godfrey said.
Her nominator wrote, “Vicki gives great customer service for the hotel, has a strong passion for serving guests and also strives to show them what a wonderful community and city this place is, with many options for parks, trails, events, the downtown shops and more. With service like her, it keeps guests coming and staying at Comfort Inn time and time again. She has great knowledge and skills and puts in endless hours with a determination to help Owatonna grow.”
Godfrey said Comfort Inn recently received the “distinctive Gold Award,” representing the top 10 percent of the brand for Choice Hotels International, and Lysne said that recognition, as well as the tourism award, are thanks to a team of dedicated to a “commitment of excellence.”
Ebeling, director of Owatonna Parks and Recreation, has worked for the city of Owatonna within the department for nearly 40 years. He received the tourism award in the events category.
His nominator wrote, “He has been a great asset to the tourism industry in Owatonna. He encourages the staff at Parks and Recreation to implement new events throughout the year. Since he has become the director, there have been many new events added, including the Trick or Treat Trail, which had an estimated attendance of 4,000 people last year; Movies in the Park; the Munchkin Market and much more. Corky is always looking for new ways to bring visitors to Owatonna.”
Ebeling said he enjoys observing people, especially families, smiling and enjoying themselves and Parks and Rec events, Godfrey said.
He accepted the award on behalf of the entire department of “dedicated and outstanding staff” who organize, manage, work and maintain all of its special events, programs, facilities, parks and trails.
Spitzack, president and CEO of Lasson Management and chief manager and owner of Baymont Inn and Suites – Owatonna, received the tourism award in the lodging category.
“[He] has been involved with Owatonna tourism for 25 years since the opening of AmericInn Motel and Suites, now Baymont Inn and Suites – Owatonna,” Godfrey said.
“His nominator wrote, “Jack has a passion for the hospitality business and providing a premier property in the Owatonna area. Those who work with him on a daily basis appreciate his commitment to providing an excellent property that continues to be productive and successful. Jack brings a positive aspect to everything he does. He is a man that knows no boundaries and embraces life. Jack continues to provide management and staff of the Baymont Hotel and Suites with the motto of ‘adhere and prosper.’ Not be drive just by profit, but by human values that recognize talent, so the hotel and Lasson Management will continue to prosper within the community of Owatonna.
Spitzack said his favorite part about the lodging hospitality industry in Owatonna is the business venture, real estate operation and delivering what guests want and need during their stay in Owatonna.
Morness, who has worked as a waitress at The Kernel Restaurant for 37 years, received the tourism award in the restaurant category.
Her nominator wrote, “After 37 years working as a waitress at The Kernel, Nancy Morness is a huge part of the successes and great service that The Kernel has come to be so well-known for. Nancy is the definition of a day’s hard work. She runs all day long serving a full restaurant, and she does it all with a smile on her face as she knows customer service is important. To top it off, she returns home and extends the same positive service to her family every chance she gets. Nancy is a giver to all ends and she surprised people every day with how much good hard work can do to get this done.”
Morness’ favorite memory at The Kernel Restaurant, Godfrey said, was when a couple visiting from out of town found out it was her birthday and played the birthday song and shared some of their favorite beef jerky and a set of steak knives.
Brick, who has owned Owatonna Shoe for more than 45 years, received the tourism award in the retail category.
His nominator wrote, “Over the years, Tom has invested countless hours of personal time and business resources, and brought people together to collaborate on how to get more people into Owatonna and shopping in Owatonna. He continues to take community and retail needs upon himself by walking door to door, initiating connections with business owners and sharing his many years of experience with others, modeling what it truly means to be part of the business community.”
Brick, Godfrey said, has always tried to treat patrons how he’d like to be treated. He is “constantly telling people about Owatonna and its many qualities.”
After the program, individuals were invited to visit the exhibitions at the History Center or partake in a tour at the Village of Yesteryear.
Godfrey said the awards luncheon was the first held in at least five years to recognize those who play an important role in the city’s tourism.
“This week is National Travel and Tourism Week, and it’s a week that we take to thank and celebrate the many people who contribute to our local tourism industry and the economic impact that the service they do has on our community,” she said.
At a national level, the tourism industry supports the livelihoods of more than 15 million Americans and is one of Minnesota’s largest industries. In Steele County, there are more than 1,500 tourism-related jobs and direct traveler spending generates $4.5 million in sales tax, according to Explore Minnesota data.
“Each and every one of us has a big impact on tourism, each and every one of us helps sell tourism as they come, each and every one of us help the tourist people come in and give them guides, refreshments and a warm welcoming,” said Owatonna Mayor Tom Kuntz. “That’s all very, very good.”
Source: Southernminn.com
