PRESCOTT – There were 18 nominees for the Rising Star Award, one of six Governor’s Tourism Awards.

The fact that Megan Langer was the winner is testimony to what she has done for Prescott over the last few years, said Julie Fox of Travel Wisconsin.

Langer and the five other Governor’s Tourism Awards recipients were honored last month at a banquet in Green Bay. Local officials held a ceremony at one of Langer’s properties, the Cove Guesthouse, on March 23, to honor the achievement.

Fox and Sherry Quamme of the Mississippi River Parkway Commission/Great River Road were on hand for the Prescott ceremony, along with Mayor Rob Daugherty.

“She’s done some great things for Prescott. We’re glad she’s here,” said Daugherty.

 “This award honors individuals new to the tourism industry. Even though they’ve been in the field less than five years, they perform like seasoned veterans,” said Fox. “There were a whopping 18 nominees. That’s astonishing, stiff competition, yet here we are.”

Langer is the owner and operator of multiple hotels and boutique locations in Prescott:

• A six-room boutique hotel, The Port of Prescott opened in April 2021 at 201 Broad St.
• The Cove Guest House (154 Broad St.) opened in late 2022 can accommodate 24 overnight guests in four suites, and 40 daytime guests who can rent out the Club House for activities and events.
• And the newly renovated Harbor Hotel (1020 US Highway 10) is open for business, even while suites are remodeled one room at a time to reflect a "vintage road trip." Each of the 22 suites will be named after a state to take you on a cross country journey - the Arizona, the Missouri, and the Virginia are completed with 19 more to go.

Most recently, in continuing her effort to provide full-service packages to her clients, Langer announced the launch of “Prescott Luxury Transport” to Prescott – a shuttle service that will provide transportation options to those staying, hosting, or seeking to enjoy events in town.

Other Governor’s Tourism Award recipients were:

• The Arts, Culture and Heritage Award went to the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan. The center is a visual and performing arts complex that supports self-taught and contemporary artists. It attracts thousands each year with its two free museums, festivals and programs.
• The Ability Center, a Milwaukee-based nonprofit, won the Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion Award. The organization aims to provide opportunities for people with disabilities to be fit, active, healthy and to play. Through its RampUp program, the Ability Center has worked to transform Bradford Beach into a more accessible beach.
• The Innovation Award was given to the Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce for organizing the city’s annual European-style holiday market, known as Kriskindlmarkt. The event has been growing in popularity since its inception in 2015.
• Romy Snyder, President and CEO of the Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau, received the Legacy Award. Snyder has been a leader in tourism for 27 years, working to maintain the area's reputation as a year-round destination for visitors.
• Bartolotta Restaurants won the Service Excellence Award. The company, which operates 17 restaurants and catering facilities in the Milwaukee area, has a reputation for exceptional cuisine and customer service. The company also aids Milwaukee-area nonprofits through its charitable arm, Care-a-lotta.