PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Dennis Daugaard and the South Dakota Department of Tourism presented awards to top visitor industry leaders Thursday evening at the 2015 Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Pierre.

The Ben Black Elk Award was awarded to John Brockelsby* of Rapid City. The award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions toSouth Dakota’s visitor industry.

Mr. Brockelsby has devoted much of his life to serving the traveling public. He has been given numerous awards for charitable work and tourism service, has served on the board of the Black Hills & Badlands Tourism Association since 1997 and has served on the Governor’s Tourism Advisory Board continuously since 2002. His family founded Reptile Gardens at the very birth of South Dakota’s tourism industry in 1935. The attraction has since grown to become the World’s Largest Reptile Zoo, as named by the Guinness Book of World Records.

“Words simply cannot do justice to the man the visitor industry knows as ‘Johnny B.’, said Gov. Daugaard. “The state of South Dakota, and the state’s visitor industry, wouldn’t be the same without him, and I can’t thank him enough for the great work and service he has provided throughout his many years in tourism.”

The A. H. Pankow Award, which honors a media outlet or individual member of the media for unparalleled coverage and promotion of the state’s visitor industry, was awarded to John Christopher Fine of Scarsdale, N.Y. Fine is a marine biologist, freelance journalist and award-winning author. Fine visits South Dakota nearly every year to write about the state and volunteer his time at the wild mustang ranch near Lantry.

“John Fine has been a great friend to the South Dakota visitor industry,” the Governor said. “His dozens of articles about South Dakota have garnered millions of impressions and millions of dollars in advertising value for the state.”

Gov. Daugaard presented George S. Mickelson Great Service Awards to the Comfort Suites Hotel & Convention Center in Rapid City, and the Great Plains Zoo in Sioux Falls.

“Both of these businesses have proven that superior service is a top priority in their day-to-day operations,” the Governor said. “They have provided thousands of visitors with memorable travel experiences, and we are grateful for their continued commitment to customer satisfaction.”

The Excellence in Tourism Innovation Award honors an industry member for thinking “outside the box” when it comes to promoting their business, organization or destination. The 2015 award was given to Strawbale Winery in Renner, in recognition for developing new and creative ways of promoting South Dakota’s visitor industry.

“Don and Susie South and their team at Strawbale Winery are continuously enhancing their product and keeping things fresh for their visitors,” the Governor said. “Their Twilight Flights, Sangria Sundays and Summer Porch Series, not to mention their wine, provide reasons for visitors to keep coming back to enjoy the unique experiences Strawbale delivers.”

The Rooster Rush Cacklin' Community Award, in its sixth year, went to Aberdeen for the community level support of the Tourism Department’s fall Rooster Rush campaign. Members of several organizations showed exceptional dedication to highlighting the 2014 pheasant hunting season with advertising and promotional events, and were successful in creating excitement in their community.

The South Dakota Department of Tourism is comprised of Tourism, the South Dakota Arts Council and the South Dakota State Historical Society. The Department is led by Secretary James D. Hagen.

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MEDIA NOTES:

For high resolution photos of all of the award winners, follow the link below. The photo file names indicate which photo is of which award winner. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/dz4wsc0mwsqzra2/AAD3CYvE2CYNw0KBk0-8HoQVa?dl=0 

*Brockelsby (BRAHK’-uhlz-bee)

George S. Mickelson Award finalists:

• Non-corporate:
• • Akta Lakota Museum at St. Joseph’s Indian School – Chamberlain
  • Big Thunder Gold Mine – Keystone
  • Crazy Horse Memorial – Crazy Horse
  • Custer State Park – Custer
  • Great Plains Zoo – Sioux Falls
  • Prairie Berry Winery – Hill City
  • Rapid City Convention & Visitors Bureau – Rapid City
  • South Dakota State Parks – Pierre/Statewide
  • Wylie Park – Aberdeen
• Corporate:
• • Best Western PLUS Ramkota Hotel & Conference Center – Sioux Falls
  • Cedar Shore Resort – Chamberlain/Oacoma
  • ClubHouse Hotel & Suites – Sioux Falls
  • Comfort Suites Hotel & Convention Center – Rapid City
  • Country Inn & Suites – Watertown