Schnitzelbank owners receive Indiana Tourism Leadership Award
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The Indiana Destination Development Corp. has awarded the state’s highest tourism honor to the owners of Schnitzelbank Restaurant & Catering in Jasper.
The Hanselman family received the Will Koch Indiana Tourism Leadership Award, which was presented at an event late last month.
Hanselman Inc. is the parent company for Schnitzelbank, as well as the nearby Hampton Inn and the Klubhaus61 event center in the Dubois County city.
The restaurant was founded in 1960 by Betty and Larry Hanselman and is now co-owned by their children, Alan Hanselman and Gail Hettinger. The IDDC said the family is “dedicated to making their community a place where visitors want to come and residents feel like family.”
“Tourism is an integral part of Indiana’s economy,” Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch said in a news release. “Indiana is fortunate to have so many great opportunities to play and stay like the tourism hub that Hanselmans Incorporated has built in Jasper. Places and spaces are key parts of ‘quality of place,’ but it is our people that truly make Indiana a premiere destination.”
The award is named for the late Will Koch, the longtime owner and president of Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari. Nominations are submitted by community leaders and members of the state’s travel, tourism and hospitality industry.
Additionally, Crouch and the IDDC presented Visit Indy Chief Destination Experience Officer Susie Townsend with the Visit Indiana Leadership Award.
Townsend has been a part of the tourism community for over 40 years, the agency said, with the majority of her career spent at Visit Indy, which she joined in 1989.
“Townsend’s impact has been immense, her leadership and education are invaluable, and through her efforts, she has set the bar for what it means to be a leader in Indiana’s tourism industry,” the agency said in written remarks. “IDDC is pleased to be able to show our appreciation for all of the work she has done.”
The IDDC also announced 11 tourism industry representatives as recipients of the 2024 Hoosier Hospitality Awards. The honorees were recognized for “their high level of service in tourism-related jobs at hotels, restaurants, attractions and other destinations.”
The recipients are:
- Joshua Alsip, VP of Regional Engagement, West Central Indiana Partnership
- Sarah Arndt-Kranc, Receptionist, Lake County Parks and Recreation
- Jamye Bley, Flea Market Office Assistant & Information Booth Greeter, Shipshewana Auction & Flea Market
- Kym Braine, Guest Services Manager, Beachwalk Vacation Rental
- Hafedh Khemir, Shuttle Bus Driver, Indianapolis Airport Authority
- Elvia Lopez, Executive Housekeeping Supervisor, Hampton Inn & Suites – Fishers
- Amy Morrison, Front Desk Associate, Embassy Suites – South Bend
- Margarita Rodriguez, Lead Breakfast Host, Home 2 Suites – Indianapolis South Greenwood
- Brenda Sears, Front Desk Associate, Comfort Inn/Sprague – Bartholomew County
- Cameron D. Smith, Operations Manager, Hoosier Cupboard Candy, Snacks and Ice Cream
- Jolene Troyer, Housekeeping Supervisor, Farmstead Inn & Conference Center