BISMARCK, N.D. — A Fargo tourism industry leader and Fargo’s Broadway Square initiative are among the seven Governor’s Travel and Tourism Awards winners for 2022.
Charley Johnson, president and CEO of the Fargo-Moorhead Convention and Visitors Bureau, received the Legend Award for Travel and Tourism Industry Leadership during the North Dakota Travel Industry Conference in Grand Forks.
Meanwhile, Broadway Square, a collaboration between Kilbourne Group, R.D. Offutt Company and the Fargo Park District, earned the Flint Firestarter Award for a Tourism Development Project. The initiative was lauded for making the corner of Broadway and 2nd Avenue North in the city’s downtown one of the most visited spots in North Dakota.
The awards were announced Wednesday, April 27.
The Legend Award honors those who have demonstrated “legendary leadership” in the tourism industry statewide and beyond.
The award citation said Johnson “displays passion and dedication for tourism and the state of North Dakota” shining “a public spotlight on the importance of tourism to the economy within the community.”
In the F-M area, Johnson is a champion for the needs and benefits of a convention center. He also works to ensure that tourism is not forgotten during legislative sessions.
Charley Johnson, president and CEO of the Fargo-Moorhead Convention and Visitors Bureau, holds the May 2019 issue of American Airlines’ in-flight magazine, American Way, which spotlights North Dakota’s economy, environment and quality of life. David Samson / The Forum
Broadway Square was lauded as “North Dakota’s version of Rockefeller Center” in its citation, which went on to say that “nearly 350,000 unique visitors” have enjoyed year-round programming with “a unique Fargo flavor.”
Since opening in 2021, Broadway Square has featured 259 days of free programming and events, including an ice rink with skate rentals, turf and waterspouts, live musical performances, movie screenings, and events including the Red River Market and annual Downtown Street Fair
Other award winners include:
Sakakawea Award for a Behind-the-Scenes Tourism Employee – Joel Walters, Dickinson Convention and Visitors Bureau. Walters has worked at the CVB since 2003. One initiative he’s created is the Coffee Cruise of shops along the Old Red Old Ten Scenic Byway and beyond to Medora.
Telegraph Award for Marketing Technology – Greater Grand Forks CVB for the FORKS: Five in Five Campaign. The video project involves interviewing individuals or groups accomplishing “Simply Grand” acts attractive to potential visitors and residents.
Heritage Award for a Front-line Tourism Employee – Al Michels, Scenic Theater, Lisbon. Michels and his wife purchased the theater and brought it to life again. He has also taken part in other efforts to improve Lisbon and attract tourists.
Trailblazer Award for Tourism Innovation – North Dakota Native Tourism Alliance. The alliance of the state’s five tribes is committed to protecting, promoting, preserving, and educating the world about the culture, history, and environment of the sovereign nations.
The Wade Westin Award for Marketing – North Dakota Country Fest, New Salem. North Dakota Country Fest is a country music and camping festival attracting more than 10,000 people in its five-year span.
Gov. Doug Burgum lauded the award winners, and noted that more than 2,700 businesses and 35,561 people in the travel and tourism sector “make trips to North Dakota memorable, and diversify our economy.”
For more information, go to
belegendary.link/2022GovTravelAwardWinners
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