Visit Nebraska Celebrates Excellence at Annual Awards Ceremony

PRESS RELEASE

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Jenn Gjerde at 402-525-4455, or [email protected]
Ben Jones at 402-326-9941, or [email protected]

LINCOLN, Neb. – (February 11, 2026) – The Nebraska Tourism Industry gathered Wednesday evening to celebrate the individuals, organizations and events making exceptional contributions to the state's tourism sector. Held at Embassy Suites in Lincoln, the Nebraska Tourism Awards Reception marked the conclusion of the 2026 Nebraska Tourism Conference, hosted by Visit Nebraska.

The highlight of the night was the presentation of the Henry Fonda Award to Deb Loseke. Loseke's contributions from a life's work in Nebraska tourism include 14 years as director of the Platte County Convention and Visitors Bureau, years on the Tourism Advisory Committee and later as a Nebraska Tourism Commissioner under multiple governors. She has given countless hours to tourism and non-profit organizations across the state.

“It is truly an honor to give Deb this award. Her leadership as Commission Chair came at a time when steady guidance really mattered, and she delivered it with professionalism, perspective and heart. She has given this industry her time, her energy and her voice, and we are all better for it,” said Visit Nebraska Interim Director Heather Hogue.

Here are the winners of the award categories.

Visionary Award
Preston Love Jr.'s vision and belief brought about the North Omaha Visitors Center, which has become a front-door experience for visitors to learn about North Omaha's stories, history and cultural legacy. Through authentic storytelling and a focus on civil rights history, community legacy and cultural contributions, he has reimagined what tourism can look like and who it can serve.

Outstanding Event (Emerging or Evolving)
In its first year, the Carhenge Mural Festival in Alliance used the international recognition of Carhenge to invite world-class artists to create murals directly on the iconic site and throughout downtown Alliance. The week included workshops, community outreach, live music and even the first-ever rock concert at Carhenge.

Outstanding Event (Established)
The Midsummer Festival in Holdrege celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025 and is a community-wide tradition rooted in Holdrege's Swedish Heritage. The event continues to grow with a multi-day lineup that includes parades, runs, concerts, cultural programming, family activities and downtown street festivals. In recent years, the festival has consistently drawn more than 8,000 attendees annually, even in challenging weather conditions, underscoring its strong regional appeal.

Outstanding Marketing Campaign
Visit Lincoln's Taste 27th Digital Marketing Campaign put a spotlight on one of Lincoln's most vibrant corridors celebrating diverse, locally owned restaurants and cultural experiences through strong digital storytelling. It featured dozens of local businesses and drove viewers to a single, connected and shareable visitor experience.

Outstanding Tourism Attraction
The Joslyn Art Museum reopened after an extensive expansion and continued in its place as a cultural anchor for the region and a major tourism draw. It welcomed more than 200,000 visitors in 2025, with 25-30 percent coming from outside of the Omaha metro area.

Outstanding Agritourism or Ecotourism Entity
Rowe Sanctuary near Gibbon is at the heart of the sandhill crane migration along the Platte River each spring. It welcomes 20,000 to 30,000 visitors annually, including visitors from all 50 states and dozens of countries, including more than 5,000 crane tours in 2025. Last year, it received a state-of-the-art expansion to its visitor center.

Friend of Tourism Award
Sheila Jenkinson, host of the Growing Small Town Nebraska Podcast, has made it her mission to tell the stories of rural communities across the state, highlighting the people, places and pride that make Nebraska worth exploring. In just over a year, she featured more than 30 communities across greater Nebraska.

Nebraska Passport Champions Choice Award
Nebraska Passport champions who visited all 70 stops voted Fat Head Honey Farms in Clarkson, Nebraska as their favorite stop. The farm has turned a love of beekeeping into a can't-miss experience for visitors, who consistently praised the warm welcome, the hands-on educational feel and the pride the Suchan family takes in sharing their story. It's the kind of place that makes you slow down, learn something new and leave with a little taste of Nebraska to take home.

For more information about travel, events and unique destinations in Nebraska, order your free travel guide today at VisitNebraska.com. Then stay connected with Nebraska Tourism on our Visit Nebraska Facebook page, on X, on Pinterest, on Instagram and on YouTube.

The mission of the Nebraska Tourism Commission is to expand Nebraska’s dynamic and diverse travel industry making it more viable by creating awareness, attracting increased visitors which results in greater tourism revenue and economic gain throughout the state. To learn more, go to VisitNebraska.com.