The Ruth Ziolkowski Outstanding Hospitality & Customer Service Award recognizes members of the tourism industry who, like Ruth Ziolkowski, have demonstrated remarkable service to every visitor they encounter, and whose work demonstrates an outstanding spirit of hospitality, warmth and genuine kindness

For 2018, we honored an individual from each of the four tourism regions. The winners were selected by each of the regions’ board of directors.

Presented to
Inez Muilenburg

Governor Kristi Noem, members of Ruth Ziokowski's
family and Secretary Jim Hagen present a
2018 Ruth Ziolkowski Award to
Inez Muilenburg of Huron (third from left)
at the 2019 Governor's Conference on Tourism.

downloadable, hi-res version of this photo (300 dpi)

Inez Muilenburg is from the Glacial Lakes and Prairies Tourism region. She is known for her outstanding customer service at the Super 8 Hotel of Huron where she works. She is also known for her willingness to go out of the way to make guests feel welcomed, and for always making sure guests know where to go in the community, what to do, and also where to go and what to do in the region and throughout the state.

Inez is the most frequent caller to Huron’s CVB to request more visitor guides and maps. She is also very involved in her community, sitting on numerous committees to help market and promote her area of the state.

And,

Presented to
Jackie Wentworth

Governor Kristi Noem, members of Ruth Ziokowski's
family and Secretary Jim Hagen present a
2018 Ruth Ziolkowski Award to
Jackie Wentworth of Sioux Falls (third from left)
at the 2019 Governor's Conference on Tourism.

downloadable, hi-res version of this photo (300 dpi)

Jackie Wentworth is from the Southeast South Dakota Tourism region. She is known as the “Tourism Energizer Bunny” by visitors and industry members alike. She just keeps going and going and going, and will do whatever it takes to make sure visitors to Sioux Falls and the region have the perfect visit. She is known for her optimism and infectious enthusiasm.

Jackie loves Sioux Falls, the southeast region, and the state, and she will go above and beyond to make sure that visitors to the area love it as much as she does.

Jackie, a Sales Manager with the Sioux Falls CVB, is known for making each new guest and each new visitor feel like they are the most important at that moment. As the nomination stated, “This person is always determined to tell you some fact you didn’t know to ensure that you come to love South Dakota. This person should be franchised or cloned. Luckily, we have at least one of her…and there is no on like her.”

And,

Presented to
Nova Steinhauser

Governor Kristi Noem, members of Ruth Ziokowski's
family and Secretary Jim Hagen present a
2018 Ruth Ziolkowski Award to
Nova Steinhauser of Platte (third from left)
at the 2019 Governor's Conference on Tourism.

downloadable, hi-res version of this photo (300 dpi)

Nova Steinhauser is from the South Dakota Missouri River Tourism region, the Platte area specifically. She is known for having a caring heart and a gift to serve all customers. She has been a host at hunting lodges, as well as an owner of one.

Nova's nomination stated that, “day in and day out, they have always been a customer-based person.” Nova is known for taking the very best care of her visitors, hunters and anglers, from the moment they enter the lodge to the moment they depart with gratitude-filled hearts. There isn’t a guest who hasn’t received the world-famous customer service that South Dakota has become known for.

And,

Presented to
Amanda Allcock

Governor Kristi Noem, members of Ruth Ziokowski's
family and Secretary Jim Hagen present a
2018 Ruth Ziolkowski Award to
Amanda Allcock of Crazy Horse (second from left)
at the 2019 Governor's Conference on Tourism.

downloadable, hi-res version of this photo (300 dpi)

Amanda Allcock is from the Black Hills and Badlands Tourism region. She promotes one of our state’s major attractions to visitors from around the globe.

Amanda attends numerous travel and trade shows where she consistently demonstrate exceptional customer service in not only promoting Crazy Horse Memorial, but also promoting the Black Hills region and the state.

Those who witness Amanda in action relay that they handle all potential visitors—and visitors to the attraction—with an ease and grace that make them feel extra special. She is known for building and maintaining genuine relationships with visitors, co-workers and other industry professionals by always going the extra mile. She is also known for exceeding visitors’ expectations through acts of kindness, big and small.

This comes as no surprise, because Amanda worked side by side with Ruth for years and learned from the very best. Amanda is the Director of Sales for the Crazy Horse Memorial.