Trisha Costello, Talkeetna Roadhouse owner and president of the Talkeetna Chamber of Commerce recently was awarded the Tourism Angel award from the Mat Su Convention and Visitors Bureau.  The honor is awarded annually to an individual who shows true concern for the success and growth of not only their own business, but for the entire tourism industry in the Mat Su Borough.

Casey Ressler of the Mat Su Convention Visitor Bureau presented Costello with the award at the annual banquet  and says it is quite fitting.  He says that Costello is the go-to person for all Talkeetna events and she involved in so many aspects of the community he said it was a great choice.   He says she is a great ambassador for the entire community of Talkeetna.

The Mat Su CVB announced other awards at their recent banquet.  The Gold Star Award went to Alaskans for Palmer Hay Flats;  The Cheechako Award went to Alaska Ultra Sport which recognized the entrepreneurial zeal of a fledgling tourism business that has survived and thrived;  Alaska State Parks received the Northern Lights Award for all of its infrastructure improvements, improvements at Hatcher Pass and improvements to access;  The Spirit of Tourism Award went to Bethany Buckingham who brought the Smithsonian exhibit to the Dorothy Page Museum.  Individuals and organizations are nominated by fellow members of the 260-member organization based in Palmer.

The Mat Su CVB holds their awards banquet each November.