Two Nominations for the Inaugural WI Gov. Outdoor Industry Awards
Both the American Birkebeiner and Mt. Telemark Village were nominated for Destination of the Year from the inaugural Wisconsin Governor’s Outdoor Industry Awards. The awards ceremony was held Thursday, June 26 at the Governor’s Residence on the shores of Lake Mendota in Madison. The event was hosted by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers along with Tourism Secretary Anne Sayers. Representing the Birkie was Development Director Louise Droessler, Executive Director Ben Popp, Marketing Director Shawn Connelly and Allie Thut-Connelly.
In their opening statements, Secretary Sayers said the awards were created to present the “highest level of honor for an often under recognized area of our economy,” while Governor Evers called the outdoor industry an “economic powerhouse of our state.”
Cassie Mordini, Director of the WI Office of Outdoor Tourism and Ben Popp presented the awards to recipients in the following categories:
- Tandem Award for Collaboration
- Trail Blazer
- Outdoor Business
- Big Tent
- First Ascent for Innovation
- Rising Star
- Outdoor Destination
On the 125th anniversary year of their creation, the Wisconsin State Park System took home the award for Destination of the Year. It’s an honor to have both Birkie and Mt. Telemark Village recognized alongside not only the state park system, but so many outdoor recreation leaders in our state.
Posted June 27, 2025 at 8:37 am
