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 are designed to celebrate outstanding accomplishments that drive economic impact and amplify the profile of Wisconsin's thriving outdoor industry. Help recognize the movers and shakers of Wisconsin's outdoor economy and culture!
🌟Award nominations are accepted through April 27, 2025. 🌟 Nominees will be
recognized, and award recipients will be announced at a reception during Great
Outdoors Month this June. Details are forthcoming.
Submit a nomination today!
Governor's Outdoor Industry Awards Categories
- Destination of the Year: 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. Nominate a Destination here.
- Outdoor Business of the Year: 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. Nominate a Business here.
- Tandem Award for Collaboration: 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. Nominate a Collaboration team here.
- Big Tent Award: 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. Nominate a Big Tent here.
- First Ascent Award for Innovation: 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. Nominate a First Ascent here.
- Rising Star Award: 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. Nominate a Rising Star here.
- Trailblazer of the Year: This award will be presented to an individual who went above and beyond to raise the profile of Wisconsin's outdoor recreation industry in the past year. Nominate a Trailblazer here.
Eligibility
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 individual awards.
- Incomplete nomination forms will not be considered.
- There is no limit to the number of nominations an individual can submit.