The Peter Norbeck Excellence in Tourism Innovation Award, first presented at the 2013 conference as the Excellence in Tourism Innovation Award, is given by the Department of Tourism to honor an industry partner for its innovative thinking in marketing or special promotion that elevates the visitor's experience. In 2021, the award was renamed to honor Peter Norbeck, South Dakota's ninth Governor and the visionary who saw South Dakota as a world-class tourism destination before there were even paved roads across the state.
Two Peter Norbeck Excellence in Tourism Innovation Awards were presented for 2020.
Presented to
Prairie Berry Winery & Miner Brewing Company
Governor Kristi Noem and Secretary Jim Hagen present a
2020 Peter Norbeck Excellence in Tourism Innovation Award to
Prairie Berry Winery & Miner Brewing Company, Hill City and Sioux Falls,
at the 2021 Governor's Conference on Tourism.
downloadable, hi-res version of this photo (300 dpi)
Prairie Berry started in 1999 in a 500-square-foot basement. In the years since, they’ve grown into a 20-thousand square foot state-of-the-art wine production facility.
They’ve added wine tasting for all visitors with private tasting rooms. They’ve created The Homestead, a venue for weddings and special events.
And 15 years after opening their winery, they have added a brewing company, too. They’ve expanded their taproom and brewing company to Sioux Falls and have added outdoor entertainment during the summer months and more recently, outdoor igloos.
For all their efforts and innovations, Prairie Berry Winery & Miner Brewing Company, Hill City and Sioux Falls, was named a 2020 Peter Norbeck Award recipient.
And,
Presented to
Rush Mountain Adventure Park
Governor Kristi Noem and Secretary Jim Hagen present a 2020 Peter Norbeck
Excellence in Tourism Innovation Award to Rush Mountain Adventure Park,
Keystone, at the 2021 Governor's Conference on Tourism.
downloadable, hi-res version of this photo (300 dpi)
Rush Mountain Adventure Park has been a finalist every year since the award’s inception in 2013. The upgrades to the park - and the park’s continual work to improve the visitor experience year after year - capture the very essence of this award.
Upgrades and new additions to the park in recent years include the new Rushmore Mountain Coaster, the Gunslinger 7-D ride, the Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride, the new Wingwalker Challenge Course, the new SkyTykes Challenge Course and Sparky’s Snackitorium.
They also did an excellent job in implementing COVID-19 safety measures in 2020 in order to provide a safe experience for guests.
For their continued vision and execution of new ideas, Keystone's Rush Mountain Adventure Park was recognized with a 2020 Peter Norbeck Award. (Accepting the award on behalf of Rush Mountain were representatives of the Black Hills & Badlands Tourism Association.)