The Hamilton County Commissioners awarded two long-time tourism commissioners with the Rampart Award Wednesday afternoon. The pair recently retired from the Hamilton County Visitor and Convention Commission following two decades of service.
Donna Prather has been engaged with Hamilton County Tourism since 1995, first serving on the Hamilton County Convention and Visitors Bureau (now Hamilton County Tourism, Inc.) and later as a member of the Hamilton County Visitor and Convention Commission as a county appointment. Prather officially retired at the end of 2019.
Brenda Tolson has been a member of the Hamilton County Visitor and Convention Commission since 1999 as a Carmel Mayoral appointment. Tolson retires at the end of 2020.
Since Prather and Tolson began in their leadership roles, the local hotel inventory has grown by more than 4,700 rooms and Hamilton County is now the third largest tourism economy in the State of Indiana. Their leadership helped guide that future.
In nominating the two for this prestigious award, Hamilton County Tourism President/CEO Brenda Myers said, “They have done many bold things to advance the hospitality industry in our community. Both women have always taken the broad view about what is best for Hamilton County as a whole.”
The Rampart Award is bestowed upon those who have given generously of their time to make Hamilton County a better place. Honorees also have an attitude of teamwork, a generosity of spirit, and a desire to tirelessly support and celebrate the people and communities of Hamilton County.