Pat Coldiron of Seward received the Henry Fonda Award from the Nebraska tourism industry Oct. 17. She is pictured with Gov. Pete Ricketts (left) and Nebraska Tourism Executive Director John Ricks.
“Pat Coldiron Day” is set for Sunday, Oct. 28, in honor of the Seward resident who has made a big impact on the county’s tourism efforts.
Coldiron received the 2018 Henry Fonda Award, the state’s highest tourism award, representing leadership, vision and dedication to the tourism industry on Oct. 17.
“It is just so humbling because I know there are so many folks who work for the good of their community,” Coldiron said.
Nebraska tourism industry members honored the hard work and dedication of their peers at the Celebrate Nebraska Awards Banquet at the Lied Lodge and Conference Center in Nebraska City.
The event closed out the annual Nebraska Tourism Conference organized by the Nebraska Tourism Commission and hosted by the Nebraska City Chamber of Commerce.
General Manager/CEO of the Nebraska Rural Radio Association Craig Larson, with help from Gov. Pete Ricketts and Nebraska Tourism Executive Director John Ricks, announced the 2018 winners.
Coldiron is the current owner and operator of the Liberty House Bed and Breakfast in Seward, a historic 129-year-old home with an attached antique store and gift shop.
She began her tourism career as the administrative assistant at the Seward Chamber of Commerce, advancing eventually to the position of chamber executive.
She promoted tourism while serving as the Seward Chamber of Commerce executive director for decades and upon retiring, she continues to participate in the tourism industry.
Coldiron said, because tourism is the third-largest industry in the state, it’s important to keep Nebraska communities strong and vibrant. This includes local businesses, industry and the community as a whole.
“They balance each other out,” Coldiron said.
Coldiron continues to guide and direct the local Seward County Tourism Committee, owns and operates “Tall Grass Prairie Tours,” has served on the Seward Fourth of July Celebration Committee, served as the co-chair of the Holiday Christmas Festival in Seward, personally took on the task of revamping the Seward County tourism brochure and much more.
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Also at the core of Coldiron’s work is a love of Nebraska.
“I can’t imagine living permanently anywhere else,” she said.
Coldiron has dedicated more than 30 years to promoting and growing the tourism industry in her state and community.
“Pat Coldiron’s enthusiasm for Nebraska tourism is infectious and contagious. She is a huge asset not only to the Seward community but the state’s tourism industry as a whole,” Ricks said. “She has gone the extra mile to bring tourism members of her community together and Seward County is better because of it.”
Other awards went to the Omaha World-Herald, Nebraska Community Foundation, Nebraska’s Big Rodeo in Burwell, Cruise Nite in Kearney, Knox County Visitors Committee, North Platte/Lincoln County Visitors Bureau, Lancaster Event Center and Oregon Trail Ballpark in Gering.
Coldirion also said she is involved with the annual state brochure swap, an event where Nebraska communities gather to share their marketing materials.
She said this May, the swap will take place in Seward.
“We’ll show them what we have in Seward,” Coldiron said.
Fifteen representatives of tourism entities from Seward County attended the awards presentation to support Coldiron. They each sent letters of support for her nomination.
Seward-based Bottle Rocket Brewing Co. was a featured brewery at the event’s wine and brew reception.
For “Pat Coldiron Day” on Oct. 28, the Seward Civic Center will be open from 2 to 4 p.m. Members of the Seward County Visitors Committee will host a “come and go” celebration, with refreshments and an opportunity for people to meet the guest of honor.
