2026 Black Hills & Badlands Special Achievement Award
The Special Achievement Award was created by Black Hills & Badlands Tourism Association in 1968 to recognize a person, event, organization, or business that has made a significant impact on the tourism industry of the Black Hills and Badlands region.
Nominations are due by Friday, September 25, 2025
The award will be presented on Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at the Black Hills & Badlands Tourism Association Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon.
Requirements
Individuals, businesses, groups and events which have made a significant impact on the tourism industry in the Black Hills & Badlands may be nominated. Their insight, leadership and superiority have contributed significantly through a specific action, activity or event. Nominees have
- Gone above and beyond to promote tourism
- Significantly impacted the visitor industry
- Been innovative in their actions
- Created unique experiences for visitors
Past winners of the Special Achievement Award include:
Dinosaur Park, Renovation Project, 2025
The Mammoth Site of Hot Springs 50th Anniversary, 2024
Custer’s Gold Discovery Days 100th Anniversary, 2023
Black Hills Powwow, 2022
Sturgis Buffalo Chip, 40th anniversary of the “party in a pasture”, 2021
The Black Hills & Badlands Tourism Industry, Covid Response, 2020
Prairie Berry Winery, Trailblazer of the Black Hills wine movement, 2019
The Haunting of Keystone, A unique shoulder season event, 2018
Fall River Hot Air Balloon Festival, A new and unique Black Hills event, 2017
*For a complete list, contact Black Hills & Badlands Tourism Association at 605-355-3600