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.
Stay Tuned! The 2026 Award Winners will be announced during the Governor's Awards Breakfast on Wednesday, April 15 and will be published on this page right after!
2026 Award Winners
Sakakawea Award for a Behind-the-Scenes Tourism Employee
Allison Limke, Jamestown Frontier Attractions and Frontier Village
Jamestown
This award recognizes an individual who provides outstanding service behind the scenes in visitor-focused businesses.
Steady planning and research-driven decision-making have guided Frontier Village’s recent renewal under the leadership of Allison Limke. She helped reshape the site into a more interactive, family-focused attraction by improving interpretation, adding hands-on experiences and expanding amenities. Behind the scenes, she strengthened operations, launched the Frontier Village General Store, created new revenue opportunities and supported the site’s transition to an independent nonprofit. The resulting growth in visitation reflects her careful work and long-term vision for Jamestown’s tourism future.
Heritage Award for a Front-line Tourism Employee
Madi Lee, Ticketing and Reservations Manager, Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation
Medora
This award recognizes an individual who provides outstanding customer service to visitors daily.
After relocating to North Dakota, Madi Lee quickly became a key part of the Medora experience. She oversees the complex system that manages reservations for shows, meals, lodging, golf, trail rides and special events, and she is often one of the first voices and faces guests encounter. Whether helping plan a family’s first trip to Medora or welcoming visitors at the Burning Hills Amphitheatre, she is known for creating smooth, memorable interactions. Her operational expertise and genuine hospitality make her an essential ambassador for Medora and for North Dakota tourism.
Trailblazer Award for Tourism Innovation
Funatix Events
Bismarck
This award acknowledges the spirit of perseverance and creativity in developing unique North Dakota offerings and is given to an attraction, event, person, group, company, or organization that has been innovative in improving visitor experiences in North Dakota.
Funatix Events has revitalized Bismarck’s event landscape through immersive, imaginative programming that brings people together. The team produces major annual events as well as original concepts that add new energy to the city. The revitalization of the historic Bismarck Depot has become a standout achievement, with the Season of Immersive Experiences offering themed celebrations, music and family activities. Funatix continues to set a high standard for creativity and community-focused tourism development.
Amplifier Award for Marketing Excellence
Visit Fargo Moorhead Sports Awareness Campaign
Fargo
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.
Visit Fargo Moorhead’s Sports Awareness Campaign reshaped how the region reaches sports event planners by focusing on the places planners already search. The effort combined targeted digital outreach, refreshed storytelling and a strategic presence on the Playeasy platform, which expanded visibility among national sports planners. The campaign highlighted the region’s venues, long-standing partnerships and welcoming atmosphere, resulting in significant increases in online engagement and planner inquiries. The work demonstrated how strong messaging and data-driven strategy can boost a destination’s competitiveness.
Flint Firestarter Award for a Tourism Development Project
Jessica Ackerman, Citizens Alley
Minot
This award recognizes a new offering that has opened in a downtown district that has the potential to attract visitors and enhance the Main Street experience by offering improved amenities and spark future development in the core of a community.
Through creative leadership and thoughtful design, Jessica Ackerman helped transform Citizens Alley into one of Minot’s most engaging gathering spaces. The once underused alley is now a lively destination for recreation, concerts, art and community events in all seasons. The space has increased downtown foot traffic, supported nearby businesses and encouraged additional investment. Citizens Alley shows how well-executed placemaking can reshape how residents and visitors experience a community.
Legend Award for Travel & Tourism Industry Leadership
Doug Bolken, Director of McKenzie County Tourism
Watford City
This 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.
For nearly 15 years, Doug Bolken has played a central role in shaping McKenzie County as a leading destination in western North Dakota. His leadership has strengthened regional collaboration, expanded outdoor recreation and sports tourism opportunities and increased visibility among domestic and international travel groups. Bolken’s long-term commitment to partnership building and strategic development has advanced McKenzie County’s tourism economy and created lasting benefits for the region and the state.