Patoka Lake Co-Owners Receive Will Koch Indiana Tourism Leadership Award from Lt. Governor; Hamilton County Tourism CEO Receives Visit Indiana Leadership Award

15 Receive Hoosier Hospitality Awards

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC) announced today at the Eiteljorg Museum that Patoka Lake Marina and Winery Co-owners Stephen Bartels and Heather Setser, are this year's recipients of the Will Koch Indiana Tourism Leadership Award. Brenda Myers is this years recipient of the Visit Indiana Leadership Award.

2023 Will Koch Indiana Tourism Leadership Award

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC) announced today at the Eiteljorg Museum that Patoka Lake Marina and Winery Co-owners Stephen Bartels and Heather Setser, are this year's recipients of the Will Koch Indiana Tourism Leadership Award.

From beginning as a simple operation in 1998, and becoming a year-round destination today, Bartels and Setser consistently demonstrate extraordinary commitment to supporting Indiana tourism. Although they are running a business, Bartels and Setser have always held family close and treat their customers and employees as such.

The Will Koch Indiana Tourism Leadership Award is presented annually and is the highest tourism honor given by the state. The award is named for the late Will Koch, long-time owner and president of Holiday World & Splashin' Safari.

Visit Indiana and the Koch family established the honor to pay tribute to Koch's many meaningful contributions to tourism, business and society, recognize outstanding accomplishments in economic and community development through tourism and showcase the economic importance of Indiana's tourism industry. 

"Tourism is an integral part of Indiana’s economy," said Lt. Gov. Crouch, Indiana's Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. "Indiana is fortunate to have so many tourism venues like Patoka Lake Marina and Winery providing great opportunities to play and stay. Places and spaces are key parts of  'quality of place,' but it is our people that truly make Indiana a more attractive destination."

After Patoka Lake Marina and Patoka Station were up and running, Bartels and Setser constructed floating cabins, the first of their kind in Indiana. They have since continued to expand, offering wine cruises, opening Patoka Lake Winery in 2016, Patoka Lake Brewing Company in Sept. 2023, breaking ground on a 28-room hotel and preparing to break ground on Old Homestead Distillery following the completion of the hotel before the 2024 Solar Eclipse.

"Our goal is to make this area year-round," said Setser. "That's been our goal since we first started. Everybody comes here to have a good time, and we want to help them with that and make memories, family memories." 

"Our employees are the key to our business," said Bartels. "Our philosophy is we want to exceed people's expectations. There are expectations when you come to a facility like ours, and if we can at least exceed them a little bit all the time, people are happy."

Nominations for the Will Koch Indiana Tourism Leadership Award are submitted by community leaders and members of Indiana's travel, tourism and hospitality industry. A panel reviews submissions. 

Lt. Gov. Crouch presented Brenda Myers, President and CEO of Hamilton County Tourism with the Visit Indiana Leadership Award.

For over 30 years, Myers has dedicated her career to Indiana’s tourism industry in several capacities from marketing director at Conner Prairie Museum, to her most recent position as President and CEO of Hamilton County Tourism.

Myers initiated the organization’s first tourism product development grant and technical assistance program that has helped to reinvest $10 million into surrounding communities. She was pivotal in providing desperately needed communication and research support during the Covid-19 pandemic. She spent time assisting other DMO leaders to help develop data and research programs, tailored to their uses and needs.

Myers is slated to retire in 2024 but leaves a legacy grant program called BEST (Business of Entertainment, Sport and Tourism) that will serve the community’s needs for years to come. She was also a founding leader of the White River Vision Plan, promoting river health and responsible development. Through these astounding achievements, her dedication and so much more, Myers has inspired a higher standard of tourism marketing and development.

"Tourism in Indiana has come so far in the almost 40 years since I first joined the industry," said Myers. "The industry team is really a family, and like healthy families, we support each other. As a result, there has been such growth. It has been rewarding to be a part of it."

2023 Hoosier Hospitality Award Winners

Time and time again, visitors express their gratitude for the wonderful start that Viri provides to their day. Through her innovation and boundless passion for her work, Viri always shoots for the stars.

Tracy treats every person who walks into her shop, Farm Girl Mercantile as a cherished friend. When it comes to Tracy, gestures of unconditional kindness aren’t out of the ordinary.

Beth truly has a servant’s heart. She approaches every client at the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites with a smile and every event with a positive attitude. Beth truly understands that what she does behind the scenes often has a larger impact and takes great pride in her work.

Known as “Mama Maria” around the Hampton Inn & Suites, Maria has been consistently providing outstanding customer service and making lasting impressions on their guests for over six years. In urgent situations, when many people would succumb to the bind they are in, Maria finds a way.

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Brian has been the first and last touchpoint for over eight million travelers at the Indianapolis International Airport every year for the last 20 years. Brian spearheaded the development of a plan to address long TSA lines. Not only did he make the plan, but he also helped implement it.

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Jay is often the face of the Eiteljorg Museum for its guests and exudes professionalism, courtesy, and a positive persona. The Eiteljorg Museum hosts the Quest for the West Art Sale and Show. From beginning to end, Jay plays an integral role in the event and represents the museum.

From Tyler’s very first client interaction, his hospitality could be seen and felt by all. Wedding receptions are extremely detail-oriented and can many times be just as stressful., but Tyler is a coordinator a client can trust with their special day.

When Jerry was working in Continental Steel as an 18-year-old, fresh out of the Vietnam War, he never thought that one day he would set the vanguard for public monuments in Howard County. Jerry has been an integral piece in making the Howard County Memorial Corporation one of the most generous…

A partner to all… Lindsey’s job entailed several different roles all in one, but it was her passion for storytelling that breathed life into the projects she was a part of. From marketing, sales and public relations, Lindsey served the Indiana Foodways Alliance as a one-woman show.

Lupe frequently spends nearly half an hour in the visitor center with each group of visitors who come in curious about things to do. She loves to share all things Shipshewana, LaGrange County and Northern Indiana with visitors and goes out of her way to give thorough insight and recommendations.

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Ashley is the kind of person that, even when you first meet her, you already feel like you know her. Her magnetic smile and personality pull you in and make you feel at home. The phrase, “If there is anything you need, don’t hesitate to ask,” is one that Ashley time and time again proves she means.

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