The following organizations and individuals were recognized at the 2011 Governor's Colorado Tourism Conference for outstanding tourism efforts:
This award acknowledging an activity, event or project undertaken by a community or region to promote tourism in Colorado went to the Canyons & Plains Regional Heritage Task Force for their Historical Sites of Southeastern Colorado PSAs. The community organization produced short public-service announcements that feature various nearby historic sites. The videos were produced to teach residents about local heritage to engender pride among the southeast region, as well as persuade potential visitors to tour the area. The "shorts," which have also been produced as DVDs, incorporate community partnerships and historical elements critical for educational purposes and sustainable tourism.
Presented to an individual in recognition of his/her contributions to the promotion and development of the Colorado tourism industry, this year's award was presented to Kelli Hepler, Tourism Cabinet Coordinator for Delta County, for developing the Delta County Agritourism program. She is responsible for the strong agritourism initiatives for Delta County that have grown over the last decade. Hepler contributes to the West Elk Scenic Loop Byway website and the SW Colorado Travel Region, both of which boost tourism to the region, and she maintains close management relationships with community partners.
Recognizing an event or project undertaken by a community or region to promote tourism in Colorado, this award went to the CO 2011 Marketing Program marketing strategy by the City of Golden. Realizing that the City of Golden's "Small Town, Big Fun" advertising campaign was falling flat with visitors, they researched how visitors perceive the City of Golden, and thus created the "2-Hour Vacation" campaign theme. Golden has leveraged the popularity of Coors Brewery and the city's unique outdoor activities and events to attract visitors. The city has seen significant increases in web traffic and visitation since the start of the campaign.
Presented to an individual in recognition of his/her continued lasting and volunteer contributions to the Colorado tourism industry. This year's first award in this category was presented to Edward C. Miller, who has been an Information Specialist volunteer for the Grand Junction Visitor and Convention Bureau for seven years. He has spent more than 1,700 hours thoroughly sharing his deep knowledge of local tourism with visitors and continues to be an ambassador for Grand Junction and the state of Colorado.
Recognizing an exceptional individual contribution to tourism in Colorado, this award was presented to Peter Meersman for his lifetime of leadership in the tourism industry and his dedication to the Colorado Tourism Office (CTO). Meersman recently stepped down as a board member for the CTO, where he was appointed to represent the food and beverage industry. He has chaired nearly every committee for the CTO and was instrumental in increasing marketing funding for tourism initiatives.
