Small Business Administration’s South Dakota Family-Owned Business of the Year Award 2010
The Brockelsby family was recently honored with the title of South Dakota Family-Owned Business of the Year. Presented by the South Dakota Small Business Administration District Office, the award is given to a local business based on success, employment opportunities, potential long-term growth and efforts to strengthen the community.
Midwest Travel Writer’s Association GEMmy Award 1995
The Midwest Travel Writer’s Association is the oldest association of professional travel writers in the country. The group of travel writers and publicity experts cover topics throughout the 13 Midwestern states as well as destinations around the world. Each year the professional association gives the GEMmy Award to an attraction, site, event, restaurant, accommodation or excursion that is deemed to provide an exceptional travel experience. Destinations from all over the globe have been presented with the GEMmy Award, with Reptile Gardens receiving the honor in 1995.
http://www.mtwa.org/
USA Today top 10 Roadside Attractions in the Country 2001
USA Today routinely develops a “Top 10” list for a wide range of subjects. In 2001, Reptile Gardens made the daily newspapers “Top 10 places in America to stop a car and take a look.”
AAA GEM Designation Attraction
Reptile Gardens was the first attraction in South Dakota to receive the AAA GEM designation. Attractions and events with the GEM designation are deemed to be of exceptional interest and quality by AAA’s professional evaluators.
Excellence in Family Business 2009
Reptile Gardens was recently honored with the Excellence in Family Business award which recognizes the successes of exemplary family businesses from their rich heritage and strong values to their community involvement. Annually presented by the Prairie Family Business Association, the regional award is given to families whose businesses have successfully transitioned from one generation to the next.
Prairie Family Business Association
South Dakota Governor's Great Service Award for "Outstanding Commitment to Hospitality and Education in the Visitor Industry." 2003-2009
For the past seven years, Reptile Gardens has been recognized by the South Dakota Office of Tourism for its superior customer service efforts. Since 2003, the Black Hills family attraction has received the Great Service Star designation – an honor which recognizes businesses and organization which are dedicated to the success of the South Dakota visitor industry, and exemplify it through outstanding service and high levels of customer satisfaction.
To qualify for The Great Service, businesses must complete both onsite and offsite hospitality training, workshops, employee recognition as well as utilize visitor comments to improve performance.
www.sdvisit.com/programs/service/greatservice.asp
Tom Didier Excellence in Family Business Award 2008
Established in 1994, this award acknowledges the importance of family-owned businesses to the economy and the region. This award recognizes South Dakota multi-generational family businesses with practices and policies that positively impact local business, as well as the neighboring community. This award is sponsored by the South Dakota Family Business Association from the University of South Dakota.
http://www.fambus.org/award_local_RC.html
