Tourism Hall of Fame
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. First introduced in 1985, the award has recognized individuals who have elevated life in Utah through their leadership in tourism marketing, stewardship, and destination management.
Olivier Barthez
Utah Office of Tourism
Account Director France
Kym Buttschardt
Roosters Brewing Company & Restaurant Group
Owner
Lance Syrett
Ruby's Inn
General Manager
The 2025 Utah Tourism Hall of Fame inductees were recognized at a ceremony at the Utah Tourism Conference, held in Bryce Canyon City on October 3, 2025. It was an honor to celebrate these inductees for their timeless and dedicated passion for the industry. Olivier Barthez, Kym Buttschardt, and Lance Syrett 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.
Olivier Barthez - Olivier serves as a dedicated Account Manager for the Utah Office of Tourism for 18 years. He was instrumental in the successful launch of daily non-stop Delta flight Paris to Salt Lake City. Through Olivier's deep knowledge of Utah and consistent efforts, France has become the number one EU market in visitor spending. He consistently dedicates time in Utah to personally learn about and effectively promote each area through tailored, specific campaigns.
Kym Buttschardt - As owner, Kym has helmed Roosters Brewing Company & Restaurant Group for 30 years, which also include the Union Grill, B Street, and The Coop, exemplifying the power of collaborative growth while receiving several awards and recognitions. Kym has been a key leadership figure in the revitalization of Ogden's 25th Street, significantly contributing her time, resources, and talents to its renewal. She also chaired the UOT cooperative marketing committee for many years, reviewing thousands of applications, awarding 657 applicants over $45 million and encouraged a mentorship environment that consistently drew positive feedback from applicants. Kym has supported her community by serving on a variety of organization boards including business, financial, tourism, educations, recreational, medical, and military.
Lance Syrett - Lance has provided extensive leadership and support to state-wide tourism organizations for 17 years, serving on multiple, influential boards. He exercises significant political influence as a longtime tourism advocate, regularly traveling to the State Legislature to testify in committee meetings and championing industry initiatives. Lance is recognized as a cornerstone of Utah's tourism industry, cultivating strong relationships with tour operators to promote the entire state effectively. He successfully implements sustainability initiatives, including "Give Back tot he Park" generating a $1 donation from Ruby Inn guests to support Bryce Canyon National Park.