Pam Thorsen, co-owner of Thorwood and Rosewood Bed & Breakfasts in Hastings, was named "Outstanding Individual in Tourism" for her long-term work on behalf of the Minnesota tourism industry. Thorsen has been the executive director of the Minnesota Bed & Breakfast Association since 2004 and has been active in several other tourism organizations including the Hastings Area Tourism Bureau and Renewing the Countryside, an organization focused on sustainable rural development.

Jim Keller, manager at Douglas Lodge at Itasca State Park, received a Friend of Tourism Award in recognition of his volunteer work with a variety of tourism groups, including enthusiastically promoting the state at the Explore Minnesota booth at numerous sports shows in several Midwest cities.

Northern Lights Resort Outfitting and Youth Quest, located near Kabetogama, received the first-ever Sustainable Tourism Award in recognition of its many environmentally friendly practices. In addition, the Pelican Lake Resort Association/Orr CVB received the My Favorite Minnesota(TM) Award for its addition to the My Favorite Minnesota section of the Explore Minnesota travel website, with an animated "Billy the Bluegill" giving a video tour of the highlights of the area around Orr.

Marketing awards are also given annually to note creative, successful tourism marketing programs by Minnesota communities, including printed materials, cooperative partnerships, advertising and special promotions. This year's Travel Marketing Awards of Excellence were given to Visit Minneapolis North and the Rochester Convention and Visitors Bureau. Travel Marketing Awards of Merit were presented to Murray County and Visit Duluth.

Explore Minnesota Tourism is the state office that promotes Minnesota travel in partnership with Minnesota's tourism industry; the tourism industry generates almost $12 billion for the state's economy annually.

Explore Minnesota Tourism
David Bergman, 888-563-7777
http://www.exploreminnesota.com