Pictured are Dee Hostetler, Kim Taylor, Noah Tuttle, Samantha Herring, Zack Folland, Ryan Camacho, Andre Yoder and Christina Krull. They’re from Yoder Department Store and were part of the third class to graduate from the Tourism Academy. Photo provided by the Shipshewana/LaGrange County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

News Release

Pictured are Susan Mosey and Gary Mosey. They’re from My Amish Indiana and were part of the third class to graduate from the Tourism Academy. Photo provided by the Shipshewana/LaGrange County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

SHIPSHEWANA — The Shipshewana/LaGrange County Convention and Visitors Bureau has welcomed 10 new graduates of the Tourism Academy program. The group of hospitality professionals is part of the third graduating class since the program launched in 2024.

The free course is open to front line workers, support staff event workers, volunteers, managers and business owners. It offers specialized training designed to instruct and guide professionals with the tools to work with visitors in Shipshewana and LaGrange County.

“So many people have invested time learning how to best assist visitors and gain the tools to welcome them to our charming small towns,” said Shipshewana/LaGrange County CVB executive director Sonya Nash. “Shipshewana and LaGrange County are well known for their Hoosier hospitality, and we are so proud to offer a resource to build upon that.”

The third 2025 graduating class of the Tourism Academy included students from Yoder Department Store and My Amish Indiana. From Yoder Department Store were Dee Hostetler, Andre Yoder, Ryan Camacho, Noah Tuttle, Kim Taylor, Samantha Herring, Zack Folland and Christina Krull. From My Amish Indiana were Susan Mosey and Gary Mosey.

“I am beyond thrilled to congratulate the third graduating class,” said course designer and group sales and visitor center manager Judy McConnell. “We are so happy about the overwhelming response and support of Tourism Academy.”

In 2023, tourism and travel contributed $253.9 million to LaGrange County’s economy, compared to $176.6 million in 2017, representing an increase of 7.3%. The total number of jobs created in 2023 in Shipshewana and LaGrange County was 1,965. In 2024, more than 2.5 million people visited LaGrange County.

The 10 graduates bring the total number of graduates since the program launched in May 2024 to 85. The CVB is working on a second edition of Tourism Academy and plans to release it in the spring.