Anchorage, Alaska – April 16, 2012 – Visit Anchorage recognized nine exceptional contributions to the visitor industry and the community as a whole at the 25th annual Seymour Awards Banquet on April 13, 2012. Each Seymour Award recognizes a community leader, Visit Anchorage member or volunteer who has provided excellence in product and/or service, contributed significantly to the visitor industry and Visit Anchorage’s programs or enhanced Anchorage’s image as a visitor destination.

2012 award winners include:

Mary and Buzz Rohlfing, the proprietors of Bear Square, won Member Contribution to the Bureau. They have put years of work into developing the interactive theater and attractions inside their property at Fourth Avenue and E Street and always contribute to Visit Anchorage programs.

SMG/Anchorage Convention Centers won the Member Contribution to the Visitor Industry for their meeting services. SMG/Anchorage Convention Centers provides logistical support, food service and much more to clients from Alaska and around the world.

For over 40 years of devoted work in Alaska, Oomingmak Musk Ox Producers Co-op secured the Seymour award for Community Organization. While the co-op is best known for Qiviut garments, they have also helped to foster a worldwide industry and are the second oldest producer’s cooperative in the US.
Member of the Year went to David Green Master Furrier. The iconic company has a long history in Alaska, as well as a long history of contributions to the visitor industry through familiarization tours and support of meeting sales missions.

With her civic involvement on numerous committees, activities and events, Laile Fairbairn exemplifies the spirit of Alaska and won the All Alaskan Award. She’s a familiar face downtown and always offers to host events, chair committees and participate in educational endeavors.

Lt. Governor Mead Treadwell and his office won Meeting Planner of the Year for their help in securing the 2013 National Secretary of State’s Annual meeting in Anchorage. This prestigious group will bring an economic impact of more than $243,000 to the city of Anchorage and the state of Alaska. His office has also contributed to meeting sales efforts with several other groups focused on state-level government.

Holiday Vacations won Tour Operator of the Year. Since the 1970s, the company has showed thousands of visitors Alaska. This summer, they expect to bring a record 1,500 visitors. Their unique marketing approach has expanded their client base from the Midwest to include customers nationwide.

Visit Anchorage recognized Sandra Knight as Volunteer of the Year – Downtown and Anne Smith as Volunteer of the Year – Airport. Knight and Smith each gave more than 190 hours of volunteer service in 2011, working in Visit Anchorage Visitor Information Centers but also greeting cruise ship visitors from the Amsterdam during the ship’s visits to Anchorage.

Longtime Visit Anchorage volunteers Doris Carey, Gwen Christianson, Charlotte Gill, Arlene Schillereff and Mary Todd were honored with a new award called the President’s Circle. The award recognizes the outstanding service and longevity of some of Visit Anchorage’s most dedicated volunteers. Each has worked in the Visitor Information Centers for more than 25 years.