The Wisconsin Governor's Outdoor Industry Awards recognize the people, businesses, organizations and places leading Wisconsin's outdoor recreation industry. Hosted by the Wisconsin Office of Outdoor Recreation, the Wisconsin Governor's Outdoor Industry Awards celebrate outstanding accomplishments that drive economic impact and amplify the profile of Wisconsin's thriving outdoor industry.
2026 Award Nominations Now Open
Submit your nominations for the 2026 Wisconsin Governor's Outdoor Industry Awards to honor the leaders, innovators and collaborators shaping Wisconsin's outdoor recreation industry.
Nomination Period: April 1-27, 2026
Award Categories
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Destination of the Year
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This award recognizes an outdoor recreation destination that went above and beyond to enhance outdoor activity, the tourism experience and a community's economic well-being.
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Outdoor Business of the Year
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Like a compass rose leading the way, this award recognizes an outdoor business that stands out as an exemplary model for the industry, achieving success or growth in the prior year. It recognizes customer service excellence and enthusiastic promotion of outdoor recreation to customers and the local community in the past year.
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Trailblazer of the Year
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This award is presented to an individual who has gone above and beyond to raise the profile of Wisconsin's outdoor recreation industry in the past year.
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Tandem Award for Collaboration
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This award recognizes the collaborative spirit among partnerships. It recognizes organizations and/or businesses that have demonstrated exemplary teamwork by working together to advance outdoor recreation in the past year.
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Big Tent Award
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This 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.
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First Ascent Award for Innovation
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This award recognizes 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.
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Rising Star Award
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This award recognizes an individual new to the outdoor recreation industry — within the last five years — and has shown leadership, commitment and passion for Wisconsin's outdoor recreation industry.
Eligibility
The nomination period for the 2026 awards is April 1-27, 2026.
Please review the following criteria carefully before completing your nomination:
- 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 individual awards.
- Incomplete nomination forms will not be considered.
- There is no limit to the number of nominations an individual can submit.
Past Winners
Congratulations to the nominees and winners of the 2025 Wisconsin Governor's Outdoor Industry Awards!
- Destination of the Year: Wisconsin State Park System
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Outdoor Business of the Year: Adventure Outfitters, LLC
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Trailblazer of the Year: Bill Menke, volunteer
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Tandem Award for Collaboration: Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin's Field Trip Program
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Big Tent Award: Bill Bertram, outdoor recreation organizer
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First Ascent Award for Innovation: The Glide by Boulder Junction Parks and Recreation Board
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Rising Star Award: Kennedy Domerchie, Outdoors Development Manager, Visit Eau Claire
2025 Inaugural Awards Photo Gallery
Find photos of you, your team, friends and colleagues here. Downloading photos is free with the pin 5826. Thank you to Sharon Vanorny at SV Heart Photography for capturing these moments from the first-ever Wisconsin Governor's Outdoor Industry Awards.