Tourism Awards Presented at Annual Conference

HELENA, Mont. – Montana Department of Commerce leadership and staff on Tuesday afternoon joined attendees of the Montana Department of Commerce Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Helena to congratulate finalists and winners of the 2025 Montana Tourism Awards.

The awards celebrate the outstanding work of the communities, businesses, organizations and individuals who champion Montana's tourism industry while increasing its economic impact for Montana residents.

“Tourism is a vital engine that keeps Montana’s economy strong,” said Montana Department of Commerce Acting Director Mandy Rambo. “Commerce congratulates all of our 2025 Montana Tourism Awards finalists and winners, who, through their leadership and innovation, have helped showcase the best of what Montana has to offer visitors.”

The awards were divided into seven different categories and presented to the winners by Acting Director Rambo.

Tourism Destination of the Year: The Tourism Destination of the Year recognizes outstanding achievements to advance tourism through marketing, product development, destination events and activities or compelling experiences in the tourism industry.

Winner: Lewistown Chamber of Commerce, Charlie Russell Chew Choo Visitors come from all over the country to experience the Charlie Russell Chew Choo train. The Chamber of Commerce in Lewistown has worked diligently over the years to improve the experience of the signature dinner train ride with an exceptional prime rib dinner and talented actors posing as train robbers and dancing saloon girls. During the Christmas holiday, a special North Pole Adventure train departs Lewistown headed to the North Pole in Denton.

Excellence in Heritage and Cultural Tourism: The Excellence in Heritage and Cultural Tourism award recognizes an institution, individual or organization for contributions to the promotion and celebration of Montana’s authentic and unique culture or natural history as an important attraction for visitors and Montana residents.

Winner: The Yellowstone Art Museum, Billings The Yellowstone Art Museum, Montana's largest contemporary art museum, is situated in downtown Billings. YAM contributes to Montana's historical and cultural heritage value as the museum collects and preserves art for public enjoyment. The YAM emphasizes artists working in Montana and the Rocky Mountain region, from frontier days to early modernism and continuing through contemporary artists working today. More than 3,700 works of art are in the YAM’s permanent collection, along with 5,000 related documents in the YAM archives, including the most extensive Will James collection in the country.

Excellence in Tribal Tourism: The Excellence in Tribal Tourism Award recognizes individuals, tribal governments, businesses or organizations that have demonstrated excellence in furthering Montana’s Indian Country Tribal Tourism promotion or extraordinary achievements.

Winner: All-American Indian Shootout Basketball Tournament, Billings This three-day sports and cultural event held annually in Billings at the MetraPark Arena is now in its 13th year. This event generates shoulder season visitation and overnight stays to Southeast Montana, grows sports tourism for the state, elevates tribal youth athletes from all corners of Montana through exciting exhibition games and traditional Native performances and provides a venue for vendors and Native American Made in Montana members to engage in public sales.

Marketing Campaign of the Year: The Marketing Campaign of the Year is awarded for an outstanding tourism-related marketing campaign executed within the past calendar year. For this award, marketing campaign is defined as a series of marketing activities, channels and methods that produce a measurable result.

Winner: Beaverhead Treasure Hunt, Dillon This campaign featured television ads, digital OTT and digital banners served to viewers in Salt Lake City, Spokane, Boise and Bismarck. Now entering its fifth year, this campaign is the largest marketing campaign for the Beaverhead Chamber of Commerce.

Tourism Ambassador of the Year: The Tourism Ambassador of the Year acknowledges and celebrates significant commitment demonstrated by an individual or a group of individuals who exemplify the positive impact of the tourism industry and who go above and beyond to ensure visitors' experiences are positive and worth repeating.

Winner: Charity Schreibeis, Glendive Charity was nominated by the Greater Glendive Community Foundation for her murals painted throughout Glendive. These imaginative murals depict scenes of Makoshika State Park, dinosaurs, paddlefish and more. Charity is an instructor at Dawson County High School and often engages her advanced art students in the creation and painting of murals throughout town. 

Tourism Rising Star: Recognizes and individual who has worked in  the Montana tourism industry for at least two years and is excelling at their job, demonstrates a curiosity, passion and a vision for the growth of the industry.

 

Winner: Rebecca Jones, Beaverhead Chamber of Commerce Rebecca has been instrumental in brining individuals and businesses together to create a positive outlook for Dillon and Beaverhead County. She works tirelessly with city, state and local businesses to help improve their community and surrounding area.

Film Community of the Year: The Film Community of the Year nominees and winners are selected by the Montana Department of Commerce’s Film Office based on their assistance and support of a specific project or projects filmed in their communities.

 

Winner: Missoula The Bitterroot Valley was the home of "Yellowstone" for five seasons, concluding in 2024. The community is known for hosting cast and crew, providing key locations such as the Missoula County Courthouse, Ruby's Cafe and facilitating studio space for "Yellowstone" and "1923." Hotel and airport improvements, incredible cooperation with Destination Missoula, the City of Missoula and outlying areas have all contributed to the success of this award-winning television series.

Excellence in Cinema and Cultural Heritage: The Excellence in Cinema and Cultural Heritage Award is a prestigious recognition bestowed upon individuals who have made significant contributions to the arts and film industry while also promoting and preserving cultural heritage. This award celebrates those who skillfully blend cinematic artistry with cultural narratives, bringing stories, languages and traditions to a broader audience.

Winner: Tim Montana Tim Montana forges a new frontier for hard rock. Following a tumultuous childhood in a trailer off-the-grid, the singer, guitarist and entrepreneur left his home state of Montana at barely eighteen-years-old. Driven by his work ethic, he quietly carved out a niche without comparison. Tim is telling a story that will resonate far beyond his home state, and you can hear it loud and clear in his music.

The Montana Department of Commerce Governor’s Conference on Tourism is hosted each year by the Montana Department of Commerce.