Excellence in Tourism Award Winners Announced

Release Date: Mar 13, 2018During the 2018 Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference, held at Mankato’s Verizon Center on March 6-7, several individuals, organizations and tourism businesses were recognized at the annual Excellence in Tourism Awards banquet for their contributions to the state’s $15. 0 billion travel industry.

Julie Lunning, executive director of Visit St. Cloud, was named “Outstanding Individual in Tourism” for her long-term work on behalf of the Minnesota tourism industry. In addition to serving on many industry boards and commissions, she was instrumental in the community recently hosting several large events, including the 2017 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener and 2018 Hockey Day Minnesota.

Two “Friend of Tourism” awards were presented to the Department of Natural Resource’s Mike Kurre and Bois Forte’s Fortune Bay Resort for outdoor promotional efforts and significant tourism efforts in northeast Minnesota, respectively.

Grandma’s Marathon received a “Minnesota Signature Event Award” for the race, which generates significant travel dollars to the state of Minnesota, and the substantial national and international media exposure this event has generated.

Explore Minnesota Industry Award winners were:

    Mall of America: Visitor Attraction of the Year
    Schwan’s USA CUP: Event of the Year
    Dan Hartman, Glensheen Mansion: Rising Star of the Year

Explore Minnesota Marketing Awards were presented to:

    Hutchinson Area Chamber and Tourism: Marketing Campaign
    Visit Northfield: Website
    Visit Grand Rapids: Social Media
    Visit Bemidji: Marketing Campaign
    Visit Winona: Branding Initiative