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*Huber Family Receives Tourism Industry's Highest Honor from Lt. Governor; Visit Fort Wayne President & CEO Recognized with Visit Indiana Leadership Award*

*16 Receive Hoosier Hospitality Awards*
huber
*For Immediate Release*
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INDIANAPOLIS (Nov. 5, 2021) ??Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch [ [link removed] ] and the Indiana Destination Development Corporation [ [link removed] ] (IDDC) announced today during the Hoosier Hospitality Awards the Huber family is this year's recipient of the Will Koch Indiana Tourism Leadership Award.?

The Will Koch Indiana Tourism Leadership Award is presented annually and is the highest tourism honor given by the state. The award is named for the late Will Koch, long-time owner and president of?Holiday World & Splashin' Safari [ [link removed] ]. Visit Indiana and the Koch family established the honor to pay tribute to Koch's many meaningful contributions to tourism, business and society.

Will Koch Award [ [link removed] ]

Huber Orchard, Winery and Vineyards?started with humble roots in Starlight, Ind., with Carl and Marcella Huber. What began with only a few acres is now a seventh-generation family legacy, owned by Greg and Ted Huber. Today, Huber's 700 acres is Indiana's largest wine-grape producer and has become a popular destination.?

Over 700,000 people visit Huber Orchard, Winery and Vineyards each year. The family prides itself on being a place for everyone to make memories. From grandparents to children, visitors can enjoy the farm park, ice cream, sampling of wine or much more.?

"We do what we do every day because we love it, and when you do that, you don't necessarily expect recognition," said Dana Huber, VP of Marketing and Public Relations Huber Orchard, Winery and Vineyards. "I am so blessed to represent a family that has had such historical presence in Indiana."

Nominations for the Will Koch Indiana Tourism Leadership Award are submitted by community leaders and members of Indiana's travel, tourism and hospitality industry. Submissions are reviewed by a panel.

A video of this year's Will Koch Indiana Tourism Leadership Award can be found here [ [link removed] ].



Dan

Dan O'Connell, President and CEO of Visit Fort Wayne [ [link removed] ], received the Visit Indiana Leadership Award.?

O'Connell was recruited to Fort Wayne over three decades ago to reorganize the Chamber of Commerce's tourism department with a small 3-person staff. He did just that and grew Visit Fort Wayne into what it is today: an independent not-for-profit organization with 12 full-time, professional staff members and a $2.5 million budget.

During O'Connell's tenure as a leader in Fort Wayne, the city has hosted NCAA championships, the Republican and Democratic state conventions, and numerous national conventions.

"These award winners represent the best of our state," Crouch said. "I want to congratulate the Huber family for its vision and passion of showcasing Indiana's agriculture and tourism, and Dan's dedication and leadership to grow Visit Fort Wayne into all it has become over the last 30 years."



HHA

Crouch and IDDC also presented 16 representatives of the tourism industry a Hoosier Hospitality Award for their high level of service in tourism-related jobs at hotels, restaurants, attractions and other destinations.

"These individuals dedicate their time and service to showcase to visitors and their communities what a great place Indiana is to work, live and visit," Elaine Bedel said, IDDC's Secretary and CEO.



The 2021 Hoosier Hospitality winners are:


* Haley Anderson - Columbus Area Visitors Center (Bartholomew County)
* Reigan Fields - Residence Inn by Marriott, Indianapolis (Marion County)
* Mike Grabowski - Embassy Suites by Hilton (Hendricks County)
* Cara and Tim Hall - Fort Wayne Outfitters & Bike Depot (Allen County)
* Sarah Janner - Holiday Inn Express (Howard County)
* Gio Lorenzo - Hilton Garden Inn, Indianapolis (Marion County)?
* Jim McDaniel - Ohio County Tourism Board President (Ohio County)
* June Ortiz - Fruitshine Wine (Carroll County)
* Jamie Allen Ridenour - Hampton Inn & Suites (Howard County)
* Karen Shockley - Holiday Inn Express & Suites (Bartholomew County)
* Sharon Townsend - Hampton Inn (Jackson County)
* Annette Trotter - Turner Coaches (Vigo County)
* Jose Vidal - Home2 Suites (Johnson County)
* Tricia Wilson - Dollie's Farm (Johnson County)
* Lisa Wodrich - Lemon Tree Mediterranean Grill and Third Coast Spice Caf? (Porter County)

Nominations for Hoosier Hospitality Awards are submitted by community members and destination patrons and are reviewed and selected by IDDC. Outstanding service is a significant factor in determining whether a person returns to an individual business or destination.

More information, including bios and photos, about the 2021 Lieutenant Governor's Hoosier Hospitality Award recipients can be found here [ [link removed] ].

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*Amy Howell
Director of Marketing and Communications??
Office: 317.232.8897
Cell: 317.741.1320
Email: [email protected] <[email protected]>


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