Each year at our annual conference we recognize those that have gone the extra mile. Members of the Midwest Travel Network have the opportunity to nominate those that they think are deserving of the award. We believe that hard work deserves recognition and should be recognized.
Midwest Travel Network congratulates the following award winners:
2025 Content Creator of the Year: Jamie Ward – Cornfields & High Heels
“This content creator has created a lot of content over the years. She is also a published author and runs an active Facebook Group, Indiana Road Trips. She’s also an avid road tripper who has covered a lot of miles to get to Grand Island, Nebraska. Her passion for storytelling runs deep and wherever she lands, she gives 1000% in all she does. Congratulations, Jamie Ward of Cornfields & High Heels.”
2025 Destination of the Year: Visit Sheboygan
“This destination is always looking for ways to partner with the Midwest Travel Network. Content creators ask each other often, are you going to Sheboygan? The chatter does not stop there, as FOMO sets in. Education is important to their tourism office and board. It all started in Dubuque, Iowa, in 2021. The rest is history. Congratulations, Visit Sheboygan.”
2025 Collaboration of the Year: Gunsmoke Trail
“If you have followed Kansas destinations in the past year, you know there is a trail that is currently drawing attention from travelers of all ages. It’s fun to see how this collaboration includes four Kansas towns and Midwest Travel Network content creators. Just last week, we saw Welcome to Abilene- Robin O’Neal Smith- Welcome to Bob Bales- The Traveling Fool. Their journey continued to and from Abilene and included the Gunsmoke Trail. Congratulations, to the Kansas Gunsmoke Trail – includes Wichita, Hays, Dodge City, and Abilene, Kansas.”
2025 Inspiring Leader- Destination: Kerrie Kuiper – Visit Fort Dodge
“This destination representative continues to be the go to person for many people in the same role as she is, across the Midwest. Her passion for the Midwest Travel Network shines in all she does in the world of tourism. When someone has a question about the Midwest Travel Network’s annual conference, they often reach out to her. She hosted several content creators in her town last week, as many embarked on their journey to and from Grand Island, Nebraska. Congratulations to Kerrie Kuiper, of Visit Fort Dodge.”
2025 Inspiring Leader- Content Creator: Sheila Jenkinson – Growing Small Town Nebraska Podcast
“This inspiring content creator continues to introduce fellow Midwesterners to her passion of sharing Midwest stories. It was just last year that she learned of the Midwest Travel Network AND during this time, she has not let any grass grow under her feet. Her travel stories run far and wide, as she continues to grow in the tourism space. Congratulations, Sheila Jenkinson of Growing Small Town Nebraska Podcast.”
2025 Rising Star of the Year: Sarah Conery – Creative & Ambitious
“This content creator continues to grow and will continue to rise above the crowd. Her passion for sharing stories and helping others does not go unnoticed.
“My entrepreneurial journey is still quite challenging as I’m working in an industry with many misconceptions. Most people have no idea what I do. The only thing getting me through and keeping me going is the fact that I get to wake up every day and do what I love. I get to create, write, and travel. I’m proud to say that I haven’t quit yet (even though my life would be simpler if I did) and I don’t plan on it. From here on out I’ll be getting back to blogging and continuing to create meaningful content I’m proud of. Over the next few months, I’ll be doing blog edits, adding new content, and launching some new things, so stay tuned.” Congratulations, Sarah Conery of Creative & Ambitious. You shared your vulnerability and our network is ready to help you rise more than ever.”
Writer of the Year: Lori Helke- Lori Loves Adventure
“This writer is a force to reckon with. She’s always trying something new and she never lets up. She has a travel blog, has written several children’s books, self-published a book, published a book with a publisher, and writes for other outlets. She is also passionate about solo road trips. She has a monthly travel segment on Local 5 Live, a morning television show on WFRV in Green Bay. We recall the moment she sat at our writer’s workshop in Orange Beach, Alabama, and changed her blog name. Congratulations, Lori Helke of Lori Loves Adventure.”
Destination Beyond Expectations – Explore Siouxland- Kristen Heimgartner
“This multi-state destination went above and beyond, when she reached out to several content creators she had worked with over the past year. She continued building upon the relationships she had made, by including them in future projects. Kristin’s enthusisam is contagious and her passion rubbed off on everyone who attended a FAM in September/October of 2024. Attendees wrapped up their FAM as participants in the 2nd annual Human Pink Ribbon Project. Congratulations, Kristen Heimgartner of Explore Siouxland in Iowa/Nebraska/South Dakota.”
Content Creator Beyond Expectations – Brandy Gleason of Gleason Family Adventure & Ohio Road Trips
“It was six months ago that this content creator went over and above when she workd with our Midwest destinatoin. She showed up, over delivered, and is STILL creating content for our destination today – from ONE visit!” Congratulations, Brandy Gleason of Gleason Family Adventure & Ohio Road Trips
2024 Blogger of The Year: Nicole Kringstad- The Midwest Millennial
“Directionally challenged is how many would describe this blogger and she resides in the state that many visit as their “50th” state. Her passion for story telling and her desire to learn and help others does not go unnoticed. And be on the lookout, her first book comes out soon- Unique Eats and Eateries of North Dakota.”
2024 Destination of The Year: Visit Shipshewana
“It became quite evident in December of 2023, that many bloggers within the Midwest Travel Network were talking about going to Shipshewana, Indiana, not only in June for the annual conference, but on a separate visit. Visit Shipshewana welcomed members of our network throughout the year and quickly became on the radar of hundreds of people within the Midwest Travel Network. The willingness and extra mile that Sonya Nash took to make all of these visits happen, speaks volumes to the dedication to tourism that Visit Shipshewana has.”
2024 Destination Partner of The Year: Visit Fort Dodge
“Tourism guides are often tedious and sometimes boring. Kerrie of Fort Dodge, Iowa, utilized the Midwest Travel Network to take the Visit Fort Dodge Tourism guide to a new level. She and her office not only worked with several content creators to produce content for the travel guide, but they also partnered with Theresa Goodrich’s (our Writer’s Workshop leader) husband to read the guide. You can view the 2024 Tourism guide online or listen to it.”
2024 FAM Trip of The Year: Visit Fairfield
“It was in May of 2023 that 6 content creators discovered “the” vibe in Fairfield, Iowa. The foodie scene, outdoor adventures, arts, and culture will quickly win you over. A first visit to Fairfield, Iowa, is sure to not be your last.”
2024 Best Collaboration Featuring A Midwest Destination: Brandy Gleason of Gleason Family Adventure
“Brandy Gleason continues to grow her Ohio Road Trips Group. Her active partnerships continue to showcase the Midwest, as Brandy has helped several travel bloggers start and maintain road trip Facebook Groups. Through Brandy’s collaborative efforts, bloggers and destinations are being seen in new light.”
2024 Rising Star Award: Erin Huiatt of Des Moines Parent
“This blogger stepped up her travel game in 2023/2024. Her engagement with parents in the Des Moines, Iowa area inspires families to travel. She was recently the recipient of the SBA’s Iowa Women in Business Champion of the Year for 2024. In the warmer months, you will find Erin and her family out exploring with Poppy, the family camper.”
2024 Best Social Media Campaign (Blogger) – Melody Pittman of Wherever I May Roam Blog
“Travel can be Good, Bad, and Pretty. This blogger consistently shows up in your Facebook Feeds on Mondays at 6 PM (CT) showcasing the Good, the Bad, and the Pretty of travel. A special shoutout to Eddie for his deadpan guest-star role as well.”
2024 Best Social Media Campaign (Destination) – Clear Lake, Iowa.
“Life at the lake is always good. The goal of Lake Madness was to promote Clear Lake attractions and festivals by having two of them face off in a bracket like March Madness. The campaign ran March 4-27, 2024- making it a great lead up to tourism season. It had 2 components- Festival Face off and Water Wars. The campaign had 37,400 impressions, 37,900 reach, plus 966 reactions and comments.”
2023 Blogger of The Year: Kim Reiner- Oh My Omaha! and Let’s Go Iowa
“This blogger recently stepped away from corporate America to make blogging her full time job. When you follow her online, you will notice she’s passionate about Omaha and Iowa. Kim Reiner runs the popular blogs, Oh My Omaha! and Let’s Go Iowa.”
2023 Destination of The Year: Visit Fort Dodge, Iowa
“This destination continuously pops up in conversations during Midwest Travel Network events. The chatter evolves around everyone wanting to visit this Iowa destination. This Iowa destination boasts Iowa’s tallest mural at 110 feet tall.”
2023 Destination Partner of The Year: Visit Kansas I-70 Association
“Travelers cross America’s Interstate Highways on a regular basis. The Visit Kansas I-70 Association continues to set themselves apart as they continually partner with members of the Midwest Travel Network.”
2023 FAM Trip of The Year: Bismarck/Mandan, North Dakota
“6 content creators hit the ground running in the state that many make their 50th state to visit. Bismarck, North Dakota, is a great stop while traveling I-94, and it’s also full of history, art, food, and so much more.”
2023 Best Collaboration Featuring Midwest Destination: Theresa Goodrich & Dannelle Gay
“When the pandemic hit, many of us were stuck at home. What we did have, was content. Dannelle Gay of Wisconsin came up with the idea of, “Let’s write a book featuring Midwest Road Trips.” It quickly came to fruition, as the Midwest Travel Network had the connections to people from each Midwest state. Fast forward, two years later, Midwest Road Trip Adventures & Midwest State Park Adventures are both #1 selling books. After a struggle with the first publisher, Theresa Goodrich took over as the publisher. Together- Dannelle & Theresa are leading a huge collaboration through this series of books.” Contributors include: Dannelle Gay, Theresa Goodrich, Roxie Yonkey, Amy Piper, Veronica Bareman, Tim & Lisa Trudell, Matthew & Thena Franssen, Dustin & Kelly Ratcliff, Lindsay Hindman, Brandy Gleason, Alicia Nelson, Jamie Ward, and Sara Broers.
2023 Rising Star Award: Veronica Bareman- Hip Grandma Life
“There is no “can’t with this ridiculously talented woman who is freely willing to help others, try new things, and collaborate. She may be new to this world, but she is a force to contend with. We have continued to watch her grow, and it all started with a FAM trip in Mason City and Clear Lake, Iowa.”
2023 Best Social Media Campaign (Blogger)- Megan Bannister- Olio In Iowa
“If you follow social media, you may have stumbled upon the World’s Largest Wednesdays. If quirky, fun road trips are your thing, you need to be following Olio In Iowa.”
2023 Best Social Media Campaign (Destination)- Visit Abilene, Kansas
“This destination used social media to promote a world record attraction, The World’s Largest Belt Buckle. Through several social media platforms and Cameo- Visit Abilene Kansas found themselves in publications and maps they never dreamed of.”
2022 Blogger of The Year: Vanessa Whiteside- One Delightful Life
“This blogger continues to produce quality content, is now an author of 100 Things To Do In Wichita Before You Die, and she has not let any grass grow under her feet in 2022.”
2022 Destination of The Year: Abilene, Kansas
“This Kansas destination continuously shows up in our news feeds on social media. They promote the work of content creators and showcase all that they have to offer to the world. You can visit a Presidential Library and Museum, as well as visit an award winning Midwest town.”
2022 Destination Partner of The Year: Wichita, Kansas
“This Kansas destination continues to partner with members of the Midwest Travel Network, as they truly understand hospitality. Visit Wichita continues to showcase what they have by making sure content creators experience attractions that best meet the needs of their audiences.”
2022 FAM Trip of the Year: Fort Dodge, Iowa
“Five content creators explored this destination which features Iowa’s tallest mural. New people discovered this Iowa destination that they did not previously know about.”
2022 Best Collaboration Featuring Midwest Destination: Jay Goodvin- The Iowa Gallivant
“This Iowa blogger continues to gallivant all across Iowa. He is on his 2nd year of touring Iowa and enjoying steak. His partnership with the Western Iowa Tourism Region continues to make waves all across the state. Steak is now on the minds of many due to his gallivanting in Western Iowa.”
2022 Rising Star Award: Tom & Kristi Manus- Small Town Plus Size
“This website continues to be found daily due to the hard work that Tom & Kristi put into it. Small towns are now on the radar because of these bloggers.”
2022 Best Social Media Campaign (Blogger): Brandy Gleason- Gleason Family Adventure
“The popular Facebook Group, Ohio Road Trips, has hundreds of thousands of people that interact daily. Ohio is on the map as it has never been before.”
2022 Best Social Media Campaign (Destination): St. Cloud, Minnesota
“Emily runs the Tik Tok account for Visit Greater St. Cloud. She has created an ROI through the social channel and is continually looking for new ways to grow tourism in St. Cloud, Minnesota. ”
2020 Award Recipients
2020 Blogger of The Year: Lindsey Ranzau- Look About Lindsey
2020 Destination of The Year: North Dakota
2020 Destination Partner of The Year: Lindsborg, Kansas
2020 FAM Trip of the Year: Ottumwa Convention & Visitor Bureau
2020 Best Collaboration Featuring Midwest Destination: Nikki Rue- She Saves She Travels
2020 Rising Star Award: Roxie Yonkey- Roxie On The Road
2020 Best Social Media Campaign (Blogger): Kay Johnson –Happy Trails Hiking
2020 Best Social Media Campaign ( Destination): Abilene, Kansas
2019 Award Recipients
2019 Bloggers of The Year: Steve & Ann Teget- Postcard Jar
2019 Destination of The Year: Mason City, Iowa
2019 Destination Partner of The Year: Clear Lake, Iowa
2019 FAM Trip of the Year: Haunted Atchison
2019 Best Collaboration Featuring a Midwest Destination: Sage Scott of Everyday Wanderer
2019 Rising Star Award: Kristie Probst of World Is Wide