South Dakota Hotel and Lodging Association

The voice and source of information for the South Dakota lodging industry

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Awards & Scholarships

Employee Service Awards

The South Dakota Hotel & Lodging Association honors up to 2 hotel employees each year with Employee Service Awards.  They are presented to those who best represent the lodging industry through their outstanding performance - above and beyond normal job duties and consistently provide exceptional customer service.  Awards are presented in January each year. The 2023 Employee Service Award Nomination can be found here. 

2022 Employee Service Award (Awarded in 2023)

  • Shannara Mclaren- Fairfield Inn & Suites, Spearfish

2021 Employee Service Award (Awarded in January 2022)

  • Wilma Ward- Quality Inn & Suites, Watertown
  • Joesph Harrison - Calamity Peak Lodge, Custer
2020 Employee Service Award (Awarded in January 2021)
  •  Patty Williams - Governor's Inn, Pierre
2019 Employee Service Award (Awarded in June 2020)
  •  Lynette Gohsman - Holy Smoke Resort, Keystone 

2018 Employee Service Awards (Awarded in January 2019) 

  • Kathy Kuno - Quality Inn & Suite, Watertown 
  • Stephanie Rowe - Wrangler Inn, Mobridge 

Past Employee Service Award Winners.

  • Carol Halverson - Super 8, Milbank
  • Susan Beesley - Best Western Buffalo Ridge Inn, Custer
  • Catherine Olaciregui - The Lodge at Deadwood
  • Danelle Doop - Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Brandon
  • Ashley Brumm - Rushmore Shadows Resort, Rapid City
  • Colliene McNaboe - Country Inn & Suites, Watertown
  • Tim Sweetman -  Ramkota Hotel, Pierre
  • Chris Eite - Best Western Ramkota Hotel, Rapid City
  • Davis Dathe - Comfort Suites, Rapid City
  • Sarah Maag - Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Sioux Falls
Don Manning / South Dakota Hotel & Lodging Association Annual College Scholarships

SDHLA presents two scholarships each year to students with a hospitality-related major. One is presented to a student at South Dakota State University and the other to a student at Black Hills State University.  The recipients are juniors or seniors from South Dakota with a 3.2 or better GPA.  The scholarships are in honor of long-time SDHLA Board member and leader in the hotel industry, Don Manning.  Students who would like to apply should contact their advisor.