Past Industry Award Winners

This award will be presented to a business or organization for its outstanding leadership, professional excellence, and group contribution to the Alaska travel industry.

2022 – Alaska Airlines
2019 – Alaska Raptor Center
2018 – Lazy Otter Charters
2017 – All Alaska Tours
2016 – McKinley Chalet Resort
2015 – Alaska Airlines Magazine
2014 – Premier Alaska Tours
2013 – Northern Alaska Tour Company
2012 – CIRI Alaska Tourism
2011 – The Reisland Family
2010 – Co-Awarded: Alaska Act & Alaska Cruise Association
2009 – Fountainhead Hotels
2008 – Alaska Native Heritage Center
2007 – Icy Strait Point
2006 – Yukon Government Department of Tourism & Culture
2005 – Celebrity Cruises
2004 – Mat-Su Convention & Visitors Bureau
2003 – The McDowell Group, Inc.
2002 – Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
2001 – King Career Center Tourism Program
2000 – Bernholtz & Graham

Alaskana Award under Alaska Visitors Association (AVA)
1999 – Alaska Airlines
1998 – Knightly Tours & Travel
1997 – Tim McDonnell
1996 – Bill Pedlar
1995 – MILEPOST / Vernon Pub.
1994 – Alascom, Inc.
1993 – Seibu Corporation
1992 – David Palmer
1991 – Gary Odle
1990 – Princess Tours
1989 – John Kelsh
1988 – James Michner
1987 – Stan Patty, Seattle Times
1986 – Mimi Feisst
1985 – Arizona, Charlie Meadows Show
1984 – Sybill Ehman-Schneider
1983 – Good Morning America Show
1982 – Alaska Airlines
1981 – Westours / Holland America
1980 – Bob & Norma Spring
1979 – Chicago Tribune
1978 – Dallas Morning News / Eugene Register Guard / Fort Meyers News / Fort Worth Star / Houston Chronicle / Milwaukee Journal / Minneapolis Star / Oakland Tribune / Orlando Sentinel Star / Portland Oregonian / Senior World
1977 – Stan Patty, Seattle Times
1976 – Yukon Department of Tourism & Information
1975 – Alaska Northwest Publishing
1974 – Lane Publishing
1973 – Prince Rupert, Tom Yanagihara

This new award recognizes an emerging leader who demonstrates excellence, creativity, and initiative in his/her profession. Nominees must work in Alaska tourism year-round and be younger than 35 year old (before the end of the calendar year). Nominees must have worked in the tourism industry for at least five years and be a role model for others, personally and professionally.

2023 – Elizabeth Barlow
2022 – Anthony Giliam
January 2022 – KC Hostetler
2019 – Katie Caswell

It was Marguerite West’s intention to carry on the tradition and to honor her husband by funding this award which will be given to a new pioneer in the industry who has exhibited entrepreneurial creativity, innovation and courage in the introduction of a successful new product for the benefit and enjoyment of Alaska’s visitors.

2023 – Kierre Childers
2022 – Juneau Lighthouse Tours
2019 – Big Swig Tours
2018 – Alaska Photo Treks
2017 – Alaska Farm Tours
2016 – Kelly “Midgi” Moore
2015 – Alaska Skylar Travel
2014 – Adventure Appetites
2013 – Alaska Latin Tours
2012 – Innerseas Discoveries
2011 – Candace McDonald
2010 – Bering Sea Crab Fisherman’s Tour
2009 – Susan Gilpatrick – Gilpatrick’s Hotel Chitina
2008 – Jewel Gardens & Jewel City Glass Works
2007 – Chris Maynard
2006 – Brien Salazar
2005 – Chilkat River Adventures
2004 – John Malouf – Ketchikan Duck Tours
2003 – Paul Carter
2002 – Bronk Jorgensen – All Alaska Gifts, Tok
2001 – Tim Worthen & Peter Grunwaldt
2000 – Karl & Kirsten Dixon
1999 – Bob Engelbrecht
1997 – Steve Hites
1996 – Arne Olsson

This award will be presented to a living individual for his or her outstanding leadership, professional excellence, and personal contribution to the Alaska travel industry.

2023 – Julie Saupe
2022 – Josh Howes
January 2022 – Alaska’s Congressional Delegation
2019 – Dennis McDonnell
2018 – Deb Hickok
2017 – John Quinley
2016 – John Dunlap
2015 – Clark Mishler
2014 – Tim McDonnell
2013 – Don Rosenberger
2012 – Bonnie Quill
2011 – Camille Ferguson
2010 – Buckwheat Donahue
2009 – Gary Odle
2008 – Charlie Ball
2007 – Barrie Swanberg
2006 – Ken Dole
2005 – Ann Campbell
2004 – Ina Mueller
2003 – Sharon Gaiptman
2002 – Dennis Brandon
2001 – Steve Mahay
2000 – Kirk Hoessle

Northstar Award under Alaska Visitors Association (AVA)
1999 – Tina Lindgren
1998 – Rod Bradley
1997 – Margy Johnson
1996 – Tom Tougas
1995 – Dennis Brandon
1994 – Bob Berto
1993 – Ray Pederson
1992 – John Litten
1991 – Bob Dindinger
1990 – Tom Dow
1989 – Brad Phillips
1988 – Tom Rader
1987 – Kirk Lanterman
1986 – Dean Weidner
1985 – Mary Pignalberi
1984 – Chris Von Imhof
1983 – Bob Brennan
1982 – Larry Beck
1981 – Capt. Jim Binkley
1980 – Dick Montague
1979 – Al Parrish
1978 – Chuck West
1977 – Len Laurence
1976 – Conn Murray
1975 – H.J. “Jack” Musiel
1974 – Bill Sheffield
1973 – Bob Giersdorf

While not a standing annual award, this recognition will be conferred upon an individual who has demonstrated lifelong support of and leadership in Alaska tourism, promoted industry standards of excellence, and contributed to the industry’s growth as a whole.

2023 – Al Koch
2022 – Dennis Brandon
2019 – Sam Kito
2019 – John Litten
2018 – Dee Dee O’Brien
2017 – Richard Beneville
2015 – Ann Campbell
2014 – John Hall Sr.
2013 – Alan LeMaste & Rod Bradley
2012 – Eric McDowell & Mary Pignalberi
2008 – Janet Swanson
2007 – John Binkley
2006 – Gary Danielson
2005 – Nancy Klinski
2004 – Stan Patty & Frank Rose
2002 – Anna Mae Rocker
2001 – Richard Garvin
2000 – Brad Phillips

Lifetime Member Award under Alaska Visitors Association (AVA)
1998 – Stan Stehens
1997 – Edith Taylor
1996 – Bert Nordby
1994 – Len Laurence
1993 – Helen Phillips
1992 – Jim Johnson
1991 – Bill Behnken
1990 – Gov. Bill Sheffield
1988 – Helen Sevek & Morgan Richardson
1987 – Don Dickey
1986 – Martha Edwards
1985 – Capt. Jim Binkley
1983 – Howard Robinson
1982 – Diana Murphy
1981 – Bob Giersdorf & H.J. “Jack” Musiel
1980 – Frank Feeman & Ray Kusler & George Sullivan
1979 – Alice Harrigan & Bob Henning
1978 – Carl Heinmiller
1977 – Ruth Allman & Eve Patton
1976 – Doug Euers & Frank Downey & Lou Jacobin
1975 – R.A. “Dutch” Derr
1974 – Chuck West
1973 – Frank Whaley

This award will be presented, in good humor, to an individual, a company, an agency, a community, or other identifiable unit for an error, a blooper, an oversight or other humorous circumstance that has emerged during the past year.

2023 – Microsoft Travel
2022 – John Oliver
2019 – Chicago Tribune
2018 – CLIA Alaska and National Geographic Traveler
2017 – The Young Pope (HBO)
2016 – Norton Sound Seafood House in the Ted Stephens Anchorage International Airport
2015 – Alaska Dispatch News
2014 – Burger King
2013 – Ken Dole
2012 – Travel + Leisure Magazine
2011 – WeBeHigh.com
2010 – HAP Alaska
2009 – Alaska Airlines Magazine
2008 – Bob Kaufman
2007 – ATIA Juneau Chapter
2006 – Alaska Visitor Industry
2005 – John Halls Alaska – John Hall Sr.
2004 – Skagway Convention & Visitors Bureau
2003 – Anchorage.com
2002 – Alaska Airlines
2001 – Randy Becker
2000 – Scott McMurren

Golden Oosik Award under Alaska Visitors Association (AVA)
1999 – Anchorage Downtown Marriott & Norwegian Cruise Line
1998 – GCI
1997 – Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Ltd.
1996 – AVA Board of Directors & Board of Advisors
1995 – Steven Seegal
1994 – Alaska Magazine
1993 – Friends of Animals
1992 – “Northern Exposure” Show
1991 – Community of Petersburg
1990 – McDonald’s Corporation
1989 – Bill Pedlar
1988 – Division of Tourism, Bradley Advertising
1987 – Betty Oyster
1986 – Abigail Van Buren
1985 – UAF Museum
1984 – Brad Phillips
1983 – Texas Gov. Mark White
1982 – Pinellas Suncoast
1981 – AVA Board / M/V Taku / Alaska Marine Highway / Alaska Department of Transportation
1980 – John Chapman & Len Laurence
1979 – Ray Kusler / Princess Tours / White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad
1978 – Alaska Marine Highway
1977 – Chuck West
1976 – Los Angeles Times
1975 – John Stevens
1974 – None
1973 – Alaska Tour & Marketing Service

The special recognition award is granted periodically to an individual or business who has made substantial contributions to the tourism industry in Alaska. The recognition may be due to the individual’s personal efforts on behalf of the industry or through the efforts of a tourism related businesses that have positively enhanced Alaska tourism and travel.

2022 – Frank Flavin
January 2022 – Alaska Department of Health & Social Services, accepted by Dr. Anne Zink, Chief Medical Officer
2019 – Edeltraud Sommer
2019 – Kirby Day
2018 – UnCruise Adventures
2017 – Michael Wien
2016 – Visit Anchorage & Kathy Dunn
2011 – Linda Anderson
2010 – John Quinley
2009 – Alaska Railroad
2008 – Koji Mochizuki – Japan Airlines
2007 – Josh Howes
2006 – Susan Butcher
2005 – Kathy Dunn & Kathleen Fleming
2004 – Sen. Gene Therriault
2003 – Capt. Jim Binkley & Robert “Bob” Giersdorf
2002 – Tina Lindgren
2001 – Kris Geldaker

This award will be presented to an individual or business that has demonstrated exceptional efforts to support a local community, charity, or other organization outside the travel industry.

2023 – Hotel Captain Cook
2022 – Trend Alaska
2019 – Jennifer Thompson
2018 – Northern Alaska Tour Company
2017 – Becky Janes
2016 – Erin Kirkland
2015 – Holland America Line
2014 – Millennium Alaskan Hotel
2013 – Alaskan Brewing Company
2012 – Marilyn & Pete Heddell
2011 – Karen Lane
2010 – David Kasser
2009 – Buzzy Chiu
2008 – David Karp
2007 – Colleen Stephens
2006 – Toni Walker
2005 – Aspen Hotels
2004 – Anadyr Adventures – Valdez
2003 – Chad & Miriam Valentine
2002 – Chris Von Imhof
2001 – Hawaiian Vacations
2000 – Dennis & Mary Wise

Spirit of ’98 Award under Alaska Visitors Association (AVA)
1999 – Bob Engelbrecht
1998 – White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad
1997 – Alaska Gold Rush Centennial Task Force
1996 – Kenai Peninsula Tourism Marketing Council
1995 – A & P Tours
1994 – Alaska Native Tourism Council
1993 – Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
1992 – Great Alaska Highway Society
1991 – Mat-Su Convention & Visitors Bureau
1990 – Sitka Tours
1989 – Anchorage Times
1988 – Southeast Alaska Tourism Council
1987 – NANA Corporation
1986 – Community of Haines
1985 – Community of Kodiak
1984 – Anchorage Fur Rendezvous
1983 – Iditarod Trail Commission
1982 – City of Valdez
1981 – Anchorage Fur Rendezvous
1980 – City of Juneau
1979 – Ketchikan Visitors Bureau
1978 – Juneau Convention & Visitors Bureau
1977 – Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
1976 – Sitka’s Nes Archangel Dancers
1975 – Haines Chilakt Dancers / King Island Eskimo Dancers
1974 – City of Fairbanks
1973 – Community of Sitka

This award commemorates the passion and dedication that Stan Stephens lived by in his commitment to safeguard a place he loved dearly. Stan was a meticulous steward of Prince William Sound and after the Exxon Valdez oil spill, publicly declared that he would dedicate the rest of his life to making sure the area was protected. Recipients of this award, like Stan, will have worked nobly and passionately over time to protect a place or resource or pursue a just cause that greatly benefits all of us in travel and tourism. The award will only be presented during years when a qualified recipient has been nominated.

2023 – Robert Murphy
2019 – Denali Education Center
2018 – Colleen Stephens
2017 – Ken Leghorn
2016 – Bob Janes & Dawn Wolfe
2015 – Kirk Hoessle

The award was re-instituted by ATIA as an expansion of AVA’s Hall of Fame. It is conferred upon an individual for a lifetime of leadership, passion and commitment to Alaska’s travel and visitor industry. It is not awarded annually. The individuals receiving this award have been identified as contributing substantially to the development of the Alaska visitor industry.

2022 – Bill Pedlar
2018 – Steve Mahay
2016 – Tom Tougas
2015 – Mary Helen Stephens
2014 – Ray Pederson & Thomas Rader
2013 – Bob & Betty Allen
2011 – Stan Stephens
2009 – Bob Dindinger
2006 – Brad Phillips, Chuck West & Jim Binkley
1999 – Frank Ashida, Kirk Lanterman & Mary Binkley

Postumous Lifetime Award

1990 – Larry Beck
1984 – Gov. Bill Egan
1981 – Merle K. “Mudhole” Smith
1980 – John Munroe

Chapter Award

1997 – Pacific Northwest Chapter
1996 – Fairbanks Chapter
1995 – Juneau Chapter
1994 – Anchorage Chapter
1993 – Nome Chapter
1992 – Fairbanks Chapter
1991 – Anchorage Chapter
1990 – Kenai Peninsula
1988 – Pacific Northwest Chapter
1987 – Fairbanks Chapter
1986 – Anchorage Chapter
1985 – Anchorage Chapter