Excellence in Tourism Awards
(North Platte, Nebraska, February 1, 2025) – Annually, visitors in Lincoln County, Nebraska spend more than $121 million, generate over $10 million in state and local taxes, and support approximately 1,530 jobs with a payroll of just under $35 million. Our local tourism partners – hotels, restaurants, retail, attractions, and events continued to greet visitors with warmth, hospitality, and professionalism throughout all of 2024.
During the Excellence in Tourism Luncheon scheduled for May 7, 2025, Visit North Platte will be presenting five ‘Excellence in Customer Service’ awards. The categories for these awards are: Excellent Service within a Hotel, Excellent Service within a Restaurant, Excellent Service within a Retail Establishment, Excellent Service at an Event, and Excellent Service within an Attraction. In addition to the five Excellence in Tourism awards, Volunteer of the Year and Hero of Tourism awards will be presented.
Annually, nearly 600,000 visitors will make the trip to North Platte. What attracts these visitors, keeps them coming back, and inspires them to tell their friends to visit North Platte? North Platte’s events and attractions are part of the equation, but the single most important factor in making visitors feel welcome and have a positive experience is excellent customer service.
The nominees for the Excellence in Customer Service Awards will be employees (or volunteers) in any of the above categories within Lincoln County who go above and beyond expectations. Anyone who has experienced an employee exhibiting exceptional customer service skills is encouraged to submit an award nomination. Nominees for Volunteer of the Year and Hero of Tourism will be individuals who have made a significant contribution to the tourism industry in Lincoln County.
Nominations can be from locals experiencing excellent customer service at their favorite local spot or someone traveling through getting a taste of North Platte’s Canteen Spirit! Self-nominations and anonymous nominations will also be accepted! Nominations are now open and will be accepted until 5:00pm on March 19th.
Previous Winners
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Hero of Tourism: Nebraska State Senator, Mike Jacobson
Lifetime Achievement Award: David Fudge, NEBRASKAland Days
Volunteer of the Year: Cheri and Al Erickson, Wava Best, Betty Sones, & Judy Thompson, Prairie Arts Center
Tyler Sexon, NPIce
Excellent Service at an Event: Dusty Barner, Dusty Trails Spring Birding Tours
Excellent Service within a Hotel: Craig Warneke, Best Western Plus, Accepted on His Behalf by Beth Hoskins.
Excellent Service within a Restaurant: Chris Lane, Boss' Pizza and Chicken
Excellent Service within a Retail Establishment: Michelle Wilson, Kwik Stop
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Hero of Tourism: Matthew Pederson, Pederson Law Office
Volunteer of the Year: Barb Baldridge, North Platte Pickleball
Excellent Service at an Event: Char Swalberg, North Platte Pow Wow
Excellent Service within a Hotel: Charlotte Korn, Holiday Inn Express
Excellent Service within a Restaurant: Daniel Mages, North 40 Chophouse
Excellent Service within a Retail Establishment: Kelli Nisley, Oasis Travel Center
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Hero of Tourism: Jennifer Priest, Super 8
Volunteer of the Year: Downtown Association Board
Excellent Service at an Event: Jason Bryant, Flatrock Baseball
Excellent Service within a Hotel: Arlene Markley, Hampton Inn
Excellent Service within a Restaurant: Pals Brewing Company
Excellent Service within a Retail Establishment: Sarah Talbott, The Flower Market
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Hero of Tourism: Kirsten Parker, Golden Spike Tower
Volunteer of the Year: Elena Ramos, Buffalo Bill Brawl Boxing Tournament
Excellent Service at an Event: D&N Event Center
Excellent Service within a Hotel: Irene Pearson, Tru by Hilton
Excellent Service within a Restaurant: The Cedar Room
Excellent Service within a Retail Establishment: Jeff Caldwell, Whitetail Cycle Sport
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Hero of Tourism: Dusty Barner, Dusty Trails
Volunteer of the Year: Jack Morris, NEBRASAland Days Buffalo Bill Rodeo
Excellent Service at an Event: Christmas Village Committee, Lincoln County Historical Museum
Excellent Service within a Hotel: Tammy Burkert, Tru by Hilton
Excellent Service within a Restaurant: Lori Bergman, Double Dips Ice Creamery
Excellent Service within a Retail Establishment: Brittany Jepsen & Aaron Adams, Brittany's Boutique