The Ruth Ziolkowski Outstanding Hospitality & Customer Service Award recognizes a member of the tourism industry who, like Ruth Ziolkowski, has demonstrated remarkable service to every visitor he or she encounters, and whose work demonstrates an outstanding spirit of hospitality, warmth and genuine kindness
Three Ruth Ziolkowski Awards were presented for 2017.
Presented to
Pouran Borchardt
Secretary Jim Hagen, Governor Dennis Daugaard and members of
Ruth Ziokowski's family present the 2017 Ruth Ziolkowski Award
to Pouran Borchardt of Brookings (third from left)
at the 2018 Governor's Conference on Tourism.
downloadable, hi-res version of this photo (300 dpi)
Pouran Borchardt is known for her warm hugs and delicious food. As the manager of Café Coteau, Pouran is always greeting visitors with a smile and friendly conversation. In fact, many have returned to the Children’s Museum of South Dakota in Brookings just to say hello to her.
Co-workers say Pouran has an uncanny ability to make a personal connection with every person she encounters. She finds ways to engage local residents and out-of-town guests by creating a welcoming environment that people want to experience again and again. We also understand her food is pretty tasty, too.
Pouran has a genuine concern for her customers and co-workers, going above and beyond to make sure she is providing healthy, delicious food options and over-the-top customer service.
And,
Presented to
Rita Franz
Secretary Jim Hagen, Governor Dennis Daugaard and members of
Ruth Ziokowski's family present the 2017 Ruth Ziolkowski Award
to Rita Franz of Rapid City (third from left)
at the 2018 Governor's Conference on Tourism.
downloadable, hi-res version of this photo (300 dpi)
Rita Franz is known for her infectious kindness and willingness to help anyone she can. She not only guides visitors though our state, she also takes personal interest in making sure their needs are met.
For example, an elderly gentleman was passing through after burying his son and informed our winner that he had spent all his money on the funeral and had nothing left for food. Rita arranged for him to get a hot meal and dug into her own purse to give him all the cash she had.
She also helped an out-of-state family driving through the state locate a forgotten iPad in Chamberlain. She arranged for it to be shipped to a hotel near Yellowstone National Park – the family’s next destination – so it was waiting for them when they arrived.
Her concern for visitors is the same concern she has for her co-workers, industry colleagues and fellow community members.
If you stop by the Black Hills Visitor Center in Rapid City, you’ll most likely be greeted with a warm smile from Rita.
And,
Presented to
Dennis Scott
Secretary Jim Hagen, Governor Dennis Daugaard and members of
Ruth Ziokowski's family present the 2017 Ruth Ziolkowski Award
to Dennis Scott of Mitchell (third from left)
at the 2018 Governor's Conference on Tourism.
downloadable, hi-res version of this photo (300 dpi)
Dennis Scott is an individual who has spent more than a decade giving visitors something to remember.
A retired schoolteacher, Dennis spends his days giving tours to school children and travelers that stop at the Prehistoric Indian Village in Mitchell. His popularity is immense and several people have commented on how much they enjoy his stories about the people who lived in the area more than one thousand years ago.
Many teachers have also specifically requested Dennis to be their guide on class field trips. His dedication to his job and the visitor experience is evident in the fact that he postponed open-heart surgery so he could finish out the season as a tour guide.