The Whyalla Visitor Centre walked away with silver and bronze in two categories at this year's 2009 South Australia Tourism Awards at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Saturday night.
It was the first time the visitor centre had entered the awards and the collection of awards won over the year recognised the dedication, commitment and team work of the employees.
About 600 people attended the black tie event and supervisor visitor operations Jenny Barnes represented Whyalla at the ceremony.
The tourism awards aimed to recognise and promote excellence in the State's multi-billion dollar tourism industry.
The Whyalla Visitor Centre received a silver medal in category 14 - Tourism Marketing, for the very successful twenty-third anniversary CMCA Rally which was held in Whyalla from March 30 to April 5, 2009.
The rally attracted 750 motorhomes, with in excess of 1500 people staying on site.
Mrs Barnes said the Whyalla Visitor Centre developed a comprehensive tour program for rally participants exposing them to experiences unique to the region, and manned a popular promotional trade stall on site.
The Seafood & Beyond Rewards Card was the overall category winner for Tourism Marketing, with Mrs Barnes praising the staff of Tourism Eyre Peninsula.
"It was really pleasing that two Eyre Peninsula initiatives, the Seafood & Beyond Rewards Card, and Whyalla's CMCA Rally, took out gold and silver at the Tourism Awards in the same category," she said.
"This is very exciting for the Eyre Peninsula region and everyone who was involved in these initiatives."
The Whyalla Visitor Centre also entered category nine - visitor information and services, winning a bronze medal in this category.
Mrs Barnes said the centre services about 25,000 visitors each year and has worked hard to increase its level of professionalism.
"Our fully trained staff provide visitors with friendly and professional service, offering maps and brochures as well as specialist local and regional knowledge," she said.
"We produce the Whyalla Visitor Guide, Whyalla street map pads, and have developed a range of quality souvenirs.
"We were also the proud winners of the 2009 Visitor Information Centre Award of Excellence in Customer Service in May this year."
The Tourism Awards have very strict guidelines and criteria, and each submission was about 30 pages long.
This involved a lot of work but Mrs Barnes felt the results speak for themselves.
"I'd like to take this opportunity to publicly acknowledge and thank my wonderful staff for their hard work and enthusiasm," she said.
"I am surrounded by a fantastic team of people who enjoy being in tourism and these awards are acknowledgement and recognition of their commitment to excellent customer service."
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