Explore Fairbanks Recognizes Local Visitor Industry at 2020 Annual Awards Banquet

Explore Fairbanks acknowledged the contributions of partners and other individuals and organizations for their support of the local visitor industry at the 2020 Annual Awards Banquet on June 19 at Aurora Pointe.

Awards were presented as follows:

• Golden Heart Award to Marti Steury for her exceptional hospitality, commitment and effort to Fairbanks’ visitors;
• Aurora Award to Rod Pangborn for his contributions to the development of the Fairbanks visitor industry;
• Jim and Mary Binkley Award to Aurora Pointe Activity Center for their creation, innovation, courage and entrepreneurialism in the introduction of a new product;
• and the Raven Award to World Eskimo-Indian Olympics for promoting a distinct local, statewide, national and international interest and awareness among prospective visitors.

Inducted into the Fairbanks Tourism Hall of Fame was Buzzy Chiu for her significant contributions to the tourism industry in the Fairbanks region through her lifetime of leadership, passion and dedication. Additionally, Kathy Hedges was recognized as the Outgoing Chair of the Explore Fairbanks Board of Directors for 2019.

Staff service awards included Alanna McBrayer for five years of service and Dawn Murphy and Helen Renfrew for ten years of service