Nominations Requested for Montana’s Tourism Awards — Deadline is February 8, 2013 —

The Governor’s Tourism Advisory Council (TAC) is currently accepting nominations for the 2013 Montana Tourism Awards. Award categories include: Tourism Person of the Year, Tourism Community of the Year, Tourism Event of the Year and Tourism Partnership of the Year.

The Tourism Awards are an opportunity to highlight and distinguish the people, partnerships, communities and events that contribute to Montana’s vibrant tourism industry.

"Montana is a truly remarkable place to promote, but much of the industry’s success can be credited to our tourism partners and the creative teamwork displayed by extremely dedicated individuals," said Meg O’Leary, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce. "These awards are a wonderful way to acknowledge the extraordinary work being done on behalf of tourism in Montana."

The award winners will be announced at the 39th Annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism and Recreation scheduled for March 24-26, 2013 at the Helena Colonial Hotel – Red Lion.

Nomination forms are available from the Department of Commerce – Montana Office of Tourism by calling Carmen Levick at 406-841-2873 or e-mail [email protected]. The forms are also available electronically at Montana Tourism Awards. The deadline for nominations is 5 p.m. February 8, 2013.

The 2012 award winners include: Tourism Person of the Year – Meg O’Leary from Big Sky, Tourism Event of the Year – 75th Anniversary Celebration of the Beartooth Highway All-American Road, Tourism Community of the Year – Big Sky and Tourism Partnerships of the Year – Kids ‘N’ Snow Program in West Yellowstone and the Great Falls Museum Consortium.