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The Governor’s Awards for Travel and Tourism are given annually to recognize the passion and dedication of North Dakotans who have contributed to growing travel and tourism to support a diversified economy. These awards honor the people, organizations and communities that create valued destinations and experiences across North Dakota. Unless otherwise noted in the following descriptions, the nomination can be made by anyone and are open to all North Dakotans.
Please note the nomination name, business, organization and/or community in the box provided under the applicable award category.  Include a written description as to why this nominee should be considered for the award. Industry details like results, metrics, and examples are also recommended. 

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* 1. Heritage Award for a Front-line Tourism Employee: In North Dakota, we share a friendliness that helps define who we are. This heritage of hospitality is based on our values and true interest in helping visitors discover our state. Nominations for this award can be made by an employer, or someone in the travel industry, recognizing an individual who provides outstanding customer service to visitors daily. This person can be employed in any area of the travel/tourism and hospitality industry including lodging, resort, restaurant, casino, gas station, retail, recreation, etc.

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* 2. Sakakawea Award for Behind-the-Scenes Tourism Employee: Named for the Shoshone wife of Charbonneau, who was hired to assist Lewis and Clark through the Louisiana Purchase, this award celebrates the young woman whose work behind the scenes allowed for the journey to be successful and others today who share her spirit and commitment in helping others enjoy their journeys. Nominations can be made by an employer, or someone in the travel industry, recognizing an individual who provides outstanding service behind the scenes in visitor-focused businesses. Examples would be housekeeping staff, cooks, administrative positions, and technical staff, such as website designers. This person can be employed in any area of the travel/tourism and hospitality industry including lodging, resort, restaurant, casino, gas station, retail, recreation, etc.

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* 3. The Legend Award for Travel & Tourism Industry Leadership: Our State’s brand was built on the rich stories of historical legends like Lewis and Clark and Theodore Roosevelt, and also represents today’s legends. These stories continue to engage visitors in authentic ways that help set North Dakota apart. The Legend Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated legendary leadership in the tourism industry statewide and beyond. This individual's long-term leadership in the areas of destination development must be proven by a significant impact in visitor spending and/or creating differentiated communities or experiences. Leadership should be demonstrated in multiple areas, such as tourism policy formation, advocacy, collaboration, innovation, and participation in industry events and associations. This award may be given to a former recipient if dramatic enhancements have happened to their destination, attraction or event since the award was last received, a minimum of 10 years prior.

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* 4. Amplifier Award for Marketing Excellence: Communication channels and tactics increase and change daily amplifying the need for strong marketing. Today’s influential marketers need to break through the clutter and drive action. Technology also provides the opportunity for North Dakota to market and be considered along with destinations around the globe. The Amplifier award is given to a tourism person or entity who has developed a marketing strategy that has resulted in increased awareness, image, and visitation. This award can be given to an individual, team, agency or organization showing excellence in marketing.

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* 5. Trailblazer Award for Tourism Innovation: North Dakota history is full of leaders who blazed trails across our state, from oxcarts to today’s mountain bikes. This award acknowledges the spirit of perseverance and creativity in developing unique North Dakota offerings and is given to an attraction, event, person, or organization that has been innovative in improving and expanding visitor experiences in North Dakota. This can include private-public partnerships, collaboration between entities, creation of unique packages, engaging community members, etc.

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* 6. Flint Firestarter Award for a Tourism Development Project: For more than 11,000 years Native Americans mined flint and used it to make tools, sharpen edges and to trade for other needed goods. Knife River flint found in western North Dakota was the best quality and more valuable than gold. Today, flint is still used to start fires which is representative of our destination development award. This award recognizes a new offering that has attracted visitors or has the potential to enhance the visitor experience by offering services, amenities, and spark future development.

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* 7. Wade Westin Award for Marketing: Nominations should be made by a peer in the industry. This award will be given to a stand-out marketing initiative. The honor may go to a marketing project, a specific campaign, a marketing team or cooperative project, or a marketing guru who uses innovative ideas to attract more attention and thus visitors to North Dakota. Nominations should include details of the marketing initiative, how it was integrated and leveraged for maximum exposure, and the measurable results. Nominations will be evaluated on their uniqueness, innovation, and results.

NOTE: This award will only be given with the North Dakota Travel Industry Conference Award Committee's approval of an exceptional nomination and results.

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* 8. Submitter Name

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* 9. If you have any files to upload to support your nomination, please attach here.

If you have any questions on the survey or nominations, please contact Fred Walker at fwalker@nd.gov.
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