Contact:  Vivian Manuel

                                                                                                                                    Montana Department of Commerce

                                                                                                                                    (406) 444-9592

 

 

 

GOVERNOR’S CONFERENCE ON TOURISM AND RECREATION

PRESENTS AWARDS

 

Virgelle’s Don Sorensen Named Tourism Person of the Year

Hardin Chosen Tourism Community of the Year

Billings’ Terry Zee Lee Receives Regional Recognition

 

West Yellowstone, MT-April 19, 2002- Don Sorensen of Virgelle was honored with the Tourism Person of the Year Award and Hardin received Montana’s Community of the Year Award at the 28th Annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism and Recreation in West Yellowstone.  Over 400 people attended the two-day event. Governor Judy Martz and the Governor’s Tourism Advisory Council (TAC) presented these awards at a Friday, April 19, closing banquet. 

 

The Governor and the TAC also presented Billings resident, Terry Zee Lee with a regional recognition award.

 

Don Sorensen of Virgelle, was recognized for his commitment to preserve and promote cultural and recreational attractions in northcentral Montana. In announcing Sorensen’s award, chair of the Governor’s Tourism Advisory Council, Kathy Brown of Helena, praised Sorensen for his willingness to assist neighboring ranchers in the development of their farm and recreation businesses.

 

Sorensen purchased the dying agricultural community of Virgelle in the late 1970’s and has developed it into a tourism destination. He owns the Virgelle Mercantile and historic Bed & Breakfast, the Missouri River Canoe Company and an antique business.   He has served on the Russell Country Tourism Region Board for 9 years.

 

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Hardin received the Montana Tourism Community of the Year Award. The southeast Montana community was recognized for its’ annual Little Big Horn Days

that consists of the classic 1860’s Grand Ball, Custer’s Last Stand Reenactment, the

Trial of George Armstrong Custer and the Little Big Horn Days parade.  The weeklong event draws thousands of visitors to the state and has received national and international press attention.

 

Terry Zee Lee of Billings, was honored with a regional tourism award for her efforts to develop long-term tourism projects in her hometown. Zee Lee was the driving force behind the popular “Sky, Wind, World” kite exhibition at the Billings Logan Airport. Her most recent project is the creation of a new pedestrian footbridge that will cross the railroad tracks in Billings’ downtown historic district.

 

Tourism is one of Montana’s leading basic industries. In 2001, 9.55 million people visited Montana spending $1.75 billion during their stay.  32,200 jobs are directly and indirectly supported by nonresident travel with an annual payroll of $583 million annually.

 

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