Governor Mark Gordon delivered the keynote address at the Governor’s Hospitality & Tourism Conference “Salute to the Industry Gala” in Cheyenne on January 28, emphasizing the significant role Wyoming’s tourism sector plays in the state’s economy.
Gordon praised the industry’s success and highlighted the substantial economic benefits tourism provides to communities across the state.
“Tourism is a vital component of the Cowboy State economy,” Gordon said. “Our tourism industry showcases to the world what Wyoming has to offer, and the economic impacts are felt in Wyoming communities and on our main streets.”
Preliminary estimates for 2024 show that travel-related spending in Wyoming increased to $4.9 billion. The Leisure and Hospitality sector remains the largest private-sector employer in the state, supporting over 33,000 jobs. The visitor economy also ranks as the second-largest revenue-generating sector in Wyoming, underscoring its importance to the state’s financial well-being.
Governor Gordon acknowledged the challenges businesses in Wyoming face due to workforce shortages, a common issue across various industries in the state. He underscored the importance of growing the hospitality workforce through initiatives such as the Wyoming Innovation Partnership. This effort supported the creation of the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation, Tourism, and Hospitality (WORTH) Institute at the University of Wyoming. In 2023, the outdoor recreation industry alone generated $2.2 billion, or 4.1% of Wyoming’s gross domestic product (GDP), showing a steady growth of 4.5% annually since 2012.
“The steps we take to keep Wyoming a destination state have, and will continue to pay us back,” Gordon remarked. “We cannot afford to neglect or vandalize this fundamental and historic leg of our economic security.”
During the event, Governor Gordon also presented the prestigious BIG WYO Award to Diane Shober, who has served as the Executive Director of the Wyoming Office of Tourism since 2003. The BIG WYO Award is given annually to individuals who have made significant contributions to promoting tourism and hospitality in Wyoming.
Shober’s leadership has been pivotal in transforming the Wyoming Office of Tourism from a “budget footnote” to a major agency that has helped the state’s tourism industry flourish. She has garnered praise from both current and former leaders, including Governor Freudenthal, who highlighted Shober’s instrumental role in shaping the state’s tourism strategies despite initial skepticism from some quarters.
In her acceptance speech, Shober expressed gratitude for the honor and recognized the collective efforts of everyone in the room.
“Serving as the tourism director for the state of Wyoming is the honor of a lifetime,” she said.
She acknowledged the legacy of those who have shaped Wyoming’s tourism industry.
C.J. Box, a Wyoming author, shared his admiration for Shober’s tireless commitment to the tourism sector, noting her passion and dedication. Former Governor Matt Mead also commended Shober for her role in putting Wyoming on the map and her deep understanding of both the state’s landscapes and its people.
In a heartfelt tribute, Governor Gordon acknowledged Shober’s impact, saying:
“Diane, you’ve survived many governors and collectively we governors talk about how you guided us. But I think the better term is you directed us, and we were better for it.”
Wyoming News Now, Cowboy State Daily, Sheridan Media, and Wyoming Tribune Eagle contributed to this report.
