Wausau Receives Several Nominations for the Wisconsin Governor’s Outdoor Industry Awards

Friday, May 29th, 2026 -- 9:00 AM

The greater Wausau area and several of its outdoor recreation partners have received multiple nominations for the 2026 Wisconsin Governor’s Outdoor Industry Awards, recognizing leadership, innovation, collaboration and destination development in Wisconsin’s growing outdoor recreation economy. 

Visit Wausau and its partners received the following nominations:

• Tandem Award for Collaboration — Visit Wausau & Zartico
  • First Ascent Award for Innovation — Visit Wausau & IRONBULL
  • Trailblazer of the Year — Tim White, Executive Director of Visit Wausau
  • Destination of the Year — Greater Wausau – Wisconsin’s Basecamp

In addition, Wausau24, led by Jahn Martin and Rebecca Tulley, was nominated for the Big Tent Award for its continued growth and impact as one of Wisconsin’s premier endurance mountain biking events.

“These nominations reflect years of collaborative work across municipalities, nonprofits, event organizers, businesses, volunteers and outdoor advocates who believe in the power of outdoor recreation to strengthen communities,” said Tim White, Executive Director of Visit Wausau. “We are honored to be recognized alongside so many incredible organizations and leaders helping shape Wisconsin’s outdoor future.”

The nominations highlight a wide range of efforts happening across the region, including destination marketing, trail and paddling development, outdoor recreation research, cycling and endurance events, economic impact studies, community partnerships and storytelling initiatives designed to position greater Wausau as Wisconsin’s Basecamp.

Projects and initiatives connected to the nominations include the Great Pinery Heritage Waterway, Wisconsin Gravel cycling development, data-driven visitor research with Zartico, outdoor recreation marketing campaigns, IRONBULL event innovation, and efforts to connect outdoor recreation with quality of life, workforce attraction and economic development.

Outdoor recreation continues to be one of Wisconsin’s fastest-growing economic sectors, supporting tourism, local businesses, talent attraction and healthy communities across the state.

The Wisconsin Governor’s Outdoor Industry Awards are coordinated through the Wisconsin Office of Outdoor Recreation and recognize outstanding achievements in outdoor recreation leadership, stewardship, innovation and destination development throughout Wisconsin.

For more information about Visit Wausau and Wisconsin’s Basecamp, visit www.visitwausau.com.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.