Nominations for the Discover Northwest Nebraska annual tourism industry awards are now open.

“We want to recognize the people and places that contribute to the regional tourism industry,” said Discover Northwest Nebraska Director Kerri Rempp. “In addition to our traditional three award categories, we have launched a new award category to recognize events that take place in the region.”

The categories are:

• Frontline Employee of the Year – This award recognizes frontline staff for their customer service efforts to make visitors feel welcome to the region and their knowledge of the area.
• Volunteer of the Year – Volunteers are critical to the success of many of our attractions and events, and this award recognizes a volunteer who contributes significantly to a tourism attraction or event.
• Business/Attraction of the Year – This award recognizes either a business or attraction that plays a role in the visitor industry of Northwest Nebraska.
• Event of the Year – This new award recognizes an event that takes place in Northwest Nebraska, attracting visitors to the region.

Anyone can nominate an individual, business or event for the awards, which are presented at the Treasure Chest of the Northwest, an annual industry event that takes place each spring. Nominations can be submitted online at https://discovernwnebraska.com/industry-awards/ and must be completed by March 1, 2026.  Once applications close, a selection committee will review the nominations and choose the honorees.

All nominees will be invited to attend and be recognized at the Treasure Chest of the Northwest event, scheduled for April 16, 2026, at the Dawes County Fairgrounds.