Utah Tourism Hall of Fame
Honoring Industry Legends
The Utah Tourism Hall of Fame is presented by the Utah Tourism Industry Association and the Utah Office of Tourism. Recipients are nominated by their peers and selected annually for contributions made to Utah’s tourism industry at the state, regional, or local levels. The Hall of Fame was first introduced in 1985 and has annually recognized individuals who have elevated life in Utah through their leadership in tourism marketing, stewardship, and destination management.
Nomination Process
The Utah Tourism Hall of Fame accepts nominations each spring. After the nomination period closes, a selection committee comprised of tourism industry leaders and previous Hall of Fame inductees reviews all submissions and selects the year's honorees.
Inductees are recognized during the annual Utah Tourism Conference.
Class of 2026 Inductees
Nathan Rafferty
Ski Utah
Nathan has helped strengthen Utah’s reputation as a premier ski destination since joining Ski Utah as an intern in 1994 and becoming president and CEO in 2005. A steward of “The Greatest Snow on Earth,” he brings together Utah’s 15 ski resorts around shared marketing and industry priorities. Nathan leads Ski Utah’s strategic planning and government relations, serving as a key voice for skiing and snowboarding within the broader tourism community. His work extends to regional tourism partnerships and air service development, supporting connections between Utah’s mountain destinations and travelers worldwide. His decades of leadership have helped promote Utah skiing while encouraging collaboration across the industry.
Senator Evan Vickers
Senate District 28
Senator Vickers has served in the Utah Legislature since 2009, building a reputation as a collaborative partner to Utah’s tourism community and an advocate for small businesses. A longtime pharmacist and business owner in Cedar City, he brings firsthand experience with the needs of local employers to his public service. His leadership has included serving as Senate majority leader and chairing the Tourism Outdoor Utah Recreation Caucus, connecting legislative work with the priorities of Utah’s tourism and outdoor recreation industries. Throughout his career, Senator Vickers has paired local business experience with engagement in state policy, supporting the communities and businesses that help sustain Utah’s visitor economy.
Shayne Wittwer
Wittwer Hospitality
Shayne has worked to strengthen Utah’s visitor economy through hospitality leadership, regional tourism promotion and industry advocacy. Carrying forward a family hospitality legacy dating back to 1948, he leads Wittwer Hospitality with a focus on guest service, employee opportunities and community investment. His work extends beyond hotel operations to promoting southern Utah through sports, events and destination marketing. Shayne has brought the region’s hospitality perspective directly to state lawmakers, sharing hotel occupancy trends and explaining tourism’s economic importance to Utah communities. His leadership connects the daily work of welcoming visitors with broader efforts to support local businesses and strengthen the region’s tourism economy.