The Utah Tourism Hall of Fame is presented by the Utah Office of Tourism and the Utah Tourism Industry Association. Recipients are nominated by their peers and selected annually for contributions made to Utah’s tourism industry at the state, regional, or local levels. The Hall of Fame was first introduced in 1985 and has recognized individuals who have elevated life in Utah through their leadership in tourism marketing, stewardship, and destination management.
2021 Utah Tourism Industry Hall of Fame Recipients
The Utah Office of Tourism (UOT) and the Utah Tourism Industry Association (UTIA) honored the 2021 Utah Tourism Hall of Fame inductees at the Utah Tourism Conference, held in-person at the Eccles Conference Center in Ogden, Utah in August. Utah Tourism Hall of Fame recipients are selected based on their history of contributions to the state’s tourism industry through leadership, long-standing contributions to their region or to the entire state.
“This is an award about recognizing leadership in one of Utah’s largest economic sectors,” said Vicki
Varela, managing director of the Utah Office of Tourism.
“On behalf of the Utah Tourism Industry, it is an honor to recognize these inductees for their timeless and dedicated passion for the industry,” said Natalie Randall, executive director of UTIA. “David, Sara and Colin have been at the forefront of advocating for Utah and its future in the tourism realm. They are all an inspiration for the past, present and future industry leaders in Utah.”
Colin Fryer, Owner, Red Cliffs Lodge
Colin Fryer owns and operates 4 lodging properties in the Moab area including the Big Horn Lodge, Red Stone Inn, Rustic Inn, Red Cliffs Lodge, Cowboy Grill and Castle Creek Winery. Since his start in the tourism industry, Fryer has become a staple where he chaired the Board of Tourism Development’s marketing committee for 8 years, helped advocate for his area and supported the Utah Life Elevated brand and the launch of The Mighty Five marketing campaign. Colin Fryer has been a key voice within the growth of Utah’s tourism industry. Fryer has quite literally lived out the American dream. He always knew he wanted to grow up to be a rancher even though he knew it would be difficult. While saving up money for his ranch, Fryer learned he had a knack for business and finance, he nurtured his strengths until he was able to open the Red Cliffs Lodge after he discovered the property for sale in Moab on a trip.
Sara Toliver, President/CEO, Visit Ogden
Sara joined Visit Ogden in 2007 and serves on numerous community boards and committees as well as the Tourism Development Board for the State of Utah, the Utah Tourism Industry Association Executive Committee, the Destination Marketing Association of the West, and the Destinations International Small Bureaus Task Force. Sara has been a driving force behind Ogden’s transformation as a dynamic destination. Her participation in the ensuing redevelopment of this historic district led to Sara’s increased involvement in and passion for the Ogden community. Leading by example, she serves on multiple committees and passionately rolls up her sleeves and gets down to work improving Ogden and Utah tourism as a whole.
David Williams, Associate Managing Director, Utah Office of Tourism
David M. Williams joined the Utah Travel Council (now known as the Utah Office of Tourism) in September 2003. Having served as Research Coordinator and Deputy Director, he is currently Associate Managing Director and oversees the office’s advertising, co-op marketing, budget and research. Dave was a key architect of the Tourism Marketing Performance Fund (which provides most of the office’s marketing dollars) and is now recognized as one of the best funding plans in the country. He was a key driver in creating the office’s long-standing cooperative marketing program. He has overseen many ad campaigns promoting Utah’s numerous tourism assets including The Greatest Snow on Earth and The Mighty Five national parks. The original Mighty Five campaign was named the best state tourism ad campaign in the nation by the National Council of State Tourism Directors. He served as president of the Greater Western Chapter of the Travel and Tourism Research Association and also served on the Friends of Antelope Island board.
2020
- Val Hale, Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development
- Joyce Kelly, Greater Zion Convention & Tourism Office
- Bill Malone, Park City Chamber/Bureau
2019
- Pat Holmes, Visit Salt Lake
- Kim McClelland, Deer Valley
2018
- Onno Wieringa, Alta Ski Area
- Connie Marshall, Alta Ski Area
2017
- Hans Fuegi, Grub Steak Restaurant (UOT Board)
- Charlie Delorme, San Juan County Economic Development & Visitor Services
- Nan Groves Anderson, UTIA
2016
- Dennis Copyak, Le Bus
- Senator Wayne L. Niederhauser, Utah Senate
2015
- Representative Brad R. Wilson, Utah House of Representatives
- Marian Delay, Moab Area Travel Council
2014
- Keith Griffall, Western Leisure, Inc.
- Governor Gary R. Herbert, Utah Governor’s Office
2013
- Bruce Fullmer, Garfield County Travel Council
- Leigh von der Esch, Utah Office of Tourism & Film
2012
- Scott Hardy, Scott Hardy Design (UOT calendar designer)
- Brent Beck
2011
- Bob Wheaton, Deer Valley Resort
- Senator Dennis Stowell, Utah Senate
2010
- Red Oelerich, Outdoor Utah Magazine
- Raelene Davis, Ski Utah
2009
- John Williams
- Edgar B. Stern Jr.
- Harold Lyman
- Tom Guinney, Gastronomy, Inc (Market Street Grill)
2008
- Bob Syrett, Ruby’s Inn (UOT Board member)
- Rick Davis
- Dick Bass, Snowbird Ski Resort
2007
- Beth Gurrister
- Cleal Bradford, San Juan County Foundation
2006
- Richard Bradford, DCED/DBED
- Bob Jones
2005
- Peggy Humphreys
- Randy Harmsen
- Diane Nelson Binger
- Senator Scott K Jenkins, Utah Senate
2000
- Stanley M. Smoot & Mary Ellen Smoot
- Laree Garfield
1998
- Merlin Olsen, Utah State & NFL football player
- Kent Derricott
1996
- Mari Lou Wood
- Claire K. Lee & Betty C. Miller
- Kenneth Y. Knight
- Dennis F. Judd
- Barbara C. Fjeldsted
- John C. Beaslin
1994
- Von B. Wayman
- Louis E. Miller
- Garth Heaton
1993
- Leuella Broby Seeholzer
- Fred H. Rollins, III
- Elizabeth “Teddy” Griffith
- Claude Atkin
1992
- Carma Thomas
- Tex & Millie McClatchy
- Felix C. Koziol
- Michael D, Gallivan
- Jack Adamson
1991
- Stan Tixier
- Stein Eriksen, Olympic Gold medalist, Stein Eriksen Lodge
- Athleen Fishburn
- Don Nebeker
- Gene Nodine
- Don Hatch
1990
- Al Earley
- Elaine Henderson
- Royal Henderson
- Alma H. Truman
- Dean R. Smith
- Thelma L. Jones
- Craig Badami
1989
- E.R. “Zeke” Dumke Jr.
- Vail Hatt
- Dwight Wetenkamp
- Bradley P. Smith
- Gerald R. Sherratt
1988
- Fern Morrison
- Ward J. Roylance
- Burton K. Nichols
- William H. Levitt
- W.D. “Bill” Rishel
1987
- Robert “Bus” Hatch
- Richard “Dick” Hammer
- Maon Pulley
- Randall Jones
1986
- Harlan Nelson
- Lawrence H. Lee
- Fay Hamblin
- Bates Wilson
- Norman Nevills
1985
- The Syrett Family, Ruby’s Inn
- Marv & Mitch Williams
- Lee Jorgenson
- Ted Seeholzer
- Don Ware
- Arch Arnold
- The Quist Family
- Ken Sleight
- John Hunt
- Milt Jolley
- Mr. & Mrs. Harry Goulding
- Kent Frost
- Fred Adams
- Ray Knell
- Phyllis Steorts
- Ken Sowards
- The Ekkers Family
- Murray Moler
- Robert Temple
- Chic Morton
- Glen Overton
- Chester Davis
- Cal Black
- Calvin Rampton, Governor’s Office (11th Governor of Utah)
- Vane & Mardean Pugh
Settings