INDIANAPOLIS – Lt. Governor Becky Skillman presented Dick and Sue Conrad of Nappanee with the 2012 Hoosier Hospitality Award for their outstanding level of service in the Indiana tourism industry during an annual ceremony at the Indiana Statehouse.

“This award is an important opportunity to publicly recognize those who have contributed so much to our state’s tradition of Hoosier hospitality,” said Lt. Governor Skillman. “We are so grateful for their hard work and willingness to go the extra mile to ensure our Indiana visitors are always properly welcomed and will want to come back with their family and friends.”

The Lt. Governor’s Hoosier Hospitality Award is given annually to individuals or organizations for their high level of service in tourism-related jobs at hotels, restaurants, attractions and other destinations.

Also at the ceremony, Lt. Governor Skillman honored Bob and Sue Miller, owners of Das Dutchman Essenhaus, with the 2012 Will Koch Indiana Tourism Leadership Award.  The award is named for the late Will Koch, long-time owner and president of Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari and chief executive officer of its parent company, Koch Development Corporation. It celebrates and pays tribute to Koch’s business and philanthropic achievements through tourism and showcases the important role tourism plays in a diversified economy.

Indiana welcomes more than 62 million visitors each year, generating more than $10 billion in visitor spending statewide. The industry generates more than $1 billion in local and state tax collections from visitor expenditures. It also creates one in 10 jobs and employs approximately 257,000 Hoosiers.