The Ketchikan Visitors Bureau building is seen during last summer’s tourist season.
During its annual banquet last week, the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau presented four standing awards and honored longtime board member Len Laurance.
Laurance is a founding member and board member since the KVB’s incorporation in 1976. He was recognized for his 36 years of service to the organization.
The four annual awards presented during Friday’s banquet started with the Rainbird Award, given to someone who has volunteered to further the efforts of the bureau and the visitor industry in general. That award went to Steve Corporon, the port and harbors director for the City of Ketchikan.
The Spirit of Alaska Award goes to someone who embodies the traits of friendliness and service to visitors. That honor went to Shirley McDonald, a barista and snack bar attendant at the airport, who also works as an airport ferry toll collector.
The Heart of the Community Award recognizes a tourism business that provides financial or fundraising support to local groups. And, this year’s winner was Anderes Oil.
The fourth award is the Golden Totem, which recognizes leadership, new ideas and cooperative efforts in working with the visitor industry. That award went to the Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly in recognition of the borough’s support for the Ketchikan Story Project film series.
