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.

Congratulations to the 2024 honorees, awarded at the Utah Tourism Conference, September 27, 2024, in Layton Utah.

2024

• Desmond Barker – Legislative Strategist, Utah Tourism Industry Association
• Kaitlin Eskelson – President & CEO, Visit Salt Lake
• Vicki Varela – former Managing Director, Utah Office of Tourism
• Neil Wilkinson – former Director of Hospitality, Temple Square Hospitality

2023

• Kelly Day, Utah Office of Tourism
• Mike Deaver, Utah Office of Tourism
• Joan Hammer, Box Elder County Tourism
• Donald James Cannon, Utah Travel Council

2022

• Rick Maw, Utah.com
• Mark Wilson, Red Canyon Lodge
• Maria Twitchell, Cedar City—Brian Head Tourism Bureau

2021

• Dave Williams, Utah Office of Tourism
• Sara Toliver, Visit Ogden
• Colin Fryer, Red Cliffs Lodge

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