Slew of Nevadans win tourism awards

Tourism professionals and volunteers from throughout Nevada were honored at the 22nd annual Rural Roundup conference in Incline Village.

One winner was selected from each of Nevada’s six tourism territories – geographical areas of similar culture and geography – and two other awards recognized achievements on a statewide basis. A new award was added this year to recognize a tourism partner that has helped promote Nevada internationally. The June Stannard Scholarship was awarded to a Nevada high school senior who will be pursuing a degree in tourism or hospitality.

VolunTourism Award recipients are:

Reno-Tahoe Territory: Sue Knight is the proprietor of the Wild Rose Inn Bed and Breakfast in Genoa. Knight has been a longtime member of the Reno-Tahoe Territory, currently serving as secretary, and is actively involved in hosting familiarization tours to the territory.

Cowboy Country Territory: Kitty Nash serves as secretary for Cowboy Country. She was instrumental in creating the successful “Dream Vacation to Cowboy Country” contest and she currently is developing the territory’s quarterly e-newsletter.

Pony Express Territory: Wayne Cameron is the executive director of the White Pine Chamber of Commerce and has been involved in community activities in Ely for more than four decades.

Indian Territory: Ben Aleck is Northern Paiute and has been the collections manager for the Pyramid Lake Visitors Center and Museum in Nixon since 2000.

Silver Trails Territory: Arlette Ledbetter is the director of tourism for the town of Pahrump and has applied her creativity and strategic planning to promoting the Nevada Silver Trails.

Las Vegas Territory: Charlene Ham is the special events coordinator for the Henderson Convention Center and Visitors Bureau.

Statewide Excellence in Grants Award: The Wells Chamber of Commerce uniquely leveraged two marketing grants and one infrastructure grant to benefit the town that was greatly damaged in a 6.0 earthquake in 2008.

Statewide Excellence in Tourism: Marvin Minnick is a 32-year resident of Nevada and has been involved with tourism since joining the Pahrump Tourism Board in 2006.

Nevada International Award: American Airlines, Germany, was honored for its ongoing promotion of Nevada’s rural destinations and events.

June Stannard Scholarship Winner: Brooke Aiazzi of Yerington is this year’s winner of the annual $1,000 June Stannard Memorial Scholarship to pursue a college degree that will lead to a career in the tourism industry. She is a senior at Yerington High School.