DUTCH CRAGUN HONORED WITH TOP TOURISM INDUSTRY
AWARD
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
By RENEE RICHARDSON
Senior Reporter
EAST GULL LAKE - A man who began his resort career at age 9 in
charge of worms and minnows was recognized by the state Tuesday for
his contribution to the tourism industry.
Merrill "Dutch" Cragun was presented with the Outstanding Individual
in Tourism Award.
The award, the last of the night, came as a surprise announcement at
the state's annual Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference at Cragun's
Resort in East Gull Lake near Brainerd.
Cragun gave up tickets to a University of Minnesota-Northwestern
basketball game to attend the award benefit only after the state
tourism director told him it wouldn't fair for the host to leave.
"It's a total surprise," Cragun said. His wife, Irma, poked his
shoulder as the award recipient was being described. "That's you,"
she told him.
Cragun credited Irma's work with the resort. "This award really,
truthfully goes to her."
The award is presented to someone who has most contributed to the
state's $11 billion travel and tourism industry by actively working
to advance and promote tourism in Minnesota.
"I thinks it's a well-deserved award," Irma Cragun said of her
husband.
John Edman, state tourism director, said Cragun's name is known
throughout the state. In choosing the award, special consideration
is given to the level of achievements over a lifetime and overall
contributions to the state's image or tourism industry.
"He puts his heart and soul into this industry," Edman said before
the award was announced, adding it was time Cragun received the
award. Considerable effort went into keeping the award winner's name
secret until the presentation.
Edman said the award is presented to someone who thinks beyond their
individual property to consider the overall health of the industry.
The award dates back more than four decades. The goal is to
recognize someone who has made that industry a passion.
Edman began his remarks noting Cragun's father was a pioneer in the
industry, building six cabins on Gull Lake's Pine Beach in 1940.
Dutch Cragun graduated from the University of Minnesota and served
in the Army during the Korean War. He took over the family resort
business in 1957 and presided over its development with his wife,
Irma.
The resort now has 61 cabins, a 185-room hotel, conference and
meeting facilities and employs 300 people in the summer and 160
during the winter.
Edman said Cragun's is Minnesota's largest four-season golf resort
and conference center, but it's still run like a family business.
Edman noted the Craguns' community involvement and work on industry
councils and associations.
"He's been making friends and memories since 1940," Edman said. "And
each of the three million guests who have stayed with him feel like
a welcome friend."
The tourism conference, with speakers and sessions on Tuesday and
Wednesday, attracted about 300 people from a broad mix of industry
elements from resorts to museums.
The focus this year was on ways tourism businesses may succeed in
what is being termed the "'new normal' of today's altered economy"
and changed spending patterns from consumers.
Tourism is a key sector of the state's economy. The leisure and
hospitality industry employs more than 244,000 Minnesotans.
RENEE RICHARDSON may be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com
or 855-5852. |
