Programs
Outdoor Industry Awards
Celebrating Wisconsin's Leaders
The Wisconsin Governor's Outdoor Industry Awards recognize the people, businesses, organizations and places leading Wisconsin's outdoor recreation industry. The Awards celebrate outstanding accomplishments that drive economic impact and elevate Wisconsin's thriving outdoor industry. Recipients will be announced in June.
Explore the Awards
Destination of the Year
Recognizes an outdoor recreation destination that went above and beyond to enhance outdoor activity, the tourism experience and a community's economic well-being.
Outdoor Business of the Year
Celebrates an outdoor business that stands out as an exemplary model for the industry by offering excellent customer service, enthusiastically promoting outdoor recreation and achieving significant growth and success in the past year.
Trailblazer of the Year
Presented to an individual who went the extra mile to raise the profile of Wisconsin's outdoor recreation industry in the past year.
Tandem Award for Collaboration
Recognizes the importance of strong partnerships. It honors organizations and/or businesses that have demonstrated exemplary teamwork by collaborating to advance outdoor recreation over the past year.
Big Tent Award
Recognizes a person, destination, organization, business or project that reaches new and diverse audiences to create “a bigger tent" by cultivating participation or fostering welcoming environments for outdoor recreation in Wisconsin.
First Ascent Award for Innovation
Celebrates an organization or business that implemented an innovative approach to outdoor recreation through a new strategy, technique, project, program or product in the past year.
Rising Star Award
Recognizes an individual new to the outdoor recreation industry — joining within the last five years — who has shown leadership, commitment and passion for the field.
Recognizing Excellence
How to Submit a Nomination
Each spring, the industry comes together to celebrate the people who make the outdoors great, uphold service excellence, build stronger bridges, open bigger tents, blaze trails, rise to challenges and develop new solutions and gear to further Wisconsin’s outdoor economy and culture.
Nominations for 2026 are closed.
ELIGIBILITY
- The awards are open to Wisconsin outdoor recreation industry organizations, businesses or individuals, depending on the category. See each award category for more specific criteria.
- Nominees must be current residents of Wisconsin (individuals) or have a physical location in Wisconsin (businesses and organizations).
- Self-nominations are allowed for organizations but not for individuals.
- Incomplete nomination forms will not be considered.
- There is no limit to the number of nominations an individual can submit.
TIMELINE
- April: Nominations open in early April, with a submission window of approximately three weeks to recognize the people, businesses, organizations and places making an impact across Wisconsin.
- May: Nominees are notified and selected for recognition. Planning begins to celebrate award recipients in the places where their work is making a difference, bringing the spotlight directly to their communities.
- June: Award recipients are honored across the state through in-person presentations that highlight their achievements. These celebrations connect local communities, industry leaders and partners in recognizing the accomplishments that continue to move Wisconsin's outdoor industry forward.
