Tourism Volunteers Honored

(Courtesy Grand Island Tourism) Eight volunteers and frontline workers were honored at a Grand Island Tourism open house. Honored were: (clockwise from the left), Doug Drudik, Nebraska State Fair; Ben Murphy, Fonner Park; Zack Mayhew, Heartland Public Shooting Park; Jeremy Millard, Heartland Public Shooting Park; Wayne Anson, Stuhr Museum; Doug Ostrander, Nebraska State Fair; Dianne Willey-Harms, Fonner Park/Heartland Events Center; and Jodi Fegley, Crane Trust Nature and Visitors Center

[GRAND ISLAND, NE May 30, 2024]  Volunteers are the unsung heroes in communities. Recently, Grand Island Tourism honored some of these vital people during an open house in celebration of National Tourism Week. Seven volunteers and one front line employee were recognized.

Receiving honors were: Wayne Anson, Stuhr Museum; Jodi Fegley, Crane Trust Nature and Visitors Center; Jeremy Millard and Zach Mayhew, Heartland Public Shooting Park; Ben Murphy, Fonner Park; Dianne Willey-Harms, Heartland Events Center/Fonner Park; and Doug Ostrander and Doug Drudik, Nebraska State Fair.

Those recognized were nominated by the Crane Trust, Stuhr Museum, Heartland Public Shooting Park and the Nebraska State Fair. Accompanying each nomination was a statement about the impact the honorees have had on the venue or event. Many statements also highlighted the extraordinary contributions these volunteers and front line workers have made to tourism.

The awards were presented by Grand Island Tourism’s Executive Director, Brad Mellema. During the presentation, Grand Island Tourism's Sports Marketing Manager, Diane Rouzee read the statements about why each person was nominated. Many included phrases like, “tireless efforts”, “positive attitude” and “lasting impression”.

Rouzee said, “It was wonderful to be able to recognize and honor volunteers and major contributors in our tourism industry.  We work with some talented people in our many venues in Grand Island."

The importance of volunteers and frontline workers is not lost on Grand Island Tourism which works with attractions and events throughout Hall County. The organization’s mission is to attract overnight visitors to the county which translates to economic impact. In 2023, the county saw a 10.92% increase in hotel revenue from the same period in 2022. It was the second year in a row with a double digit increase. More hotels are currently being planned which will help accommodate additional travelers.

When speaking of the volunteers honored, Mellema said, “They love sharing our community with visitors and thrive on being around people. There isn’t enough money to pay people like that.”