Awards

The 2026 Nebraska Tourism Industry Awards were presented at the annual Nebraska Tourism Conference. The awards includedFriend of Tourism, Outstanding Event (Large and Small Population categories), Outstanding Marketing Campaign, Outstanding Tourism Attraction, Outstanding Agritourism or Ecotourism Entity, Visionary Award and Henry Fonda Award. 

The finalists for the 2026 Nebraska Tourism Awards were: 

Outstanding Agritourism or Ecotourism Entity

• Branched Oak Observatory
• Rowe Sanctuary
• Crane Cabin Retreat

Friend of Tourism

• Passport Public Relations
• Andrew McCarthy
• Sheila Jenkinson

Marketing Campaign

• Visit Lincoln, Taste 27th Digital Marketing Campaign
• Visit Columbus, Platte County Ticket To Play Campaign
• Visit Omaha, "Find Your Happy Place" Campaign
• Sandhills Global Event Center, Lancaster County Super Fair Marketing

Outstanding Event (Established)

• Nebraska State Fair
• Midsummer Festival, Holdrege Area Chamber of Commerce
• Seward 4th of July Celebration

Outstanding Event (Emerging or Evolving)

• All is Bright Christmas Tour, Cheyenne County Tourism
• Cowboy Trail 30th Celebration
• Carhenge Mural Festival, Alliance Creative District

Outstanding Tourism Attraction

• Joslyn Art Museum
• Nebraska National Guard Museum
• Lewis and Clark Interpretive Visitor Center

Visionary

• Deb Cottier
• Preston Love Jr.
• Nebraska Semiquincentennial Commission

Congratulations to the winners of the 2026 Nebraska Tourism Awards! We recognized nine people, events and attractions.

Visionary Award – Preston Love Jr.
Outstanding Event (Emerging or Evolving) – Carhenge Mural Festival
Outstanding Event (Established) – Midsummer Festival
Outstanding Marketing Campaign – Visit Lincoln’s Taste 27th Digital Marketing Campaign
Outstanding Tourism Attraction – The Joslyn Art Museum
Outstanding Agritourism or Ecotourism Entity – Rowe Sanctuary
Friend of Tourism – Sheila Jenkinson
Nebraska Passport Champions Choice Award – Fat Head Honey Farms
Henry Fonda Award  – Deb Loseke

For more information about the 2026 Nebraska Tourism Conference including agenda, lodging, registration and more, visit the conference website or reach out to Lilly Uhlmann at [email protected] or 402-471-7755 with questions.