News and Awards

Venerts Hotel Management’s dedication to excellence shines through in the many achievements our team has accomplished over the years.

Awards and Accomplishments

Quality Inn and Suites (formerly Comfort Inn), Watertown, South Dakota

Quality Inn and Suites, Watertown, SD received the “Ring of Honor” award from Choice Hotels International for 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Quality Inn and Suites, Watertown, SD received the 2022 Visitor Industry Great 8 Award given out by the Watertown Convention and Visitor's Bureau.
Wilma Ward, front desk clerk at the Quality Inn and Suites, Watertown, SD was awarded the 2021 Employee Service Award by the SD Hotel and Lodging Association.
Quality Inn and Suites, Watertown, SD received the “Platinum Award” from Choice Hotels International for 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
The George S. Mickelson Award was presented to the Quality Inn and Suites Watertown, SD in 2016 and were in the top 5 finalist in 2020. This is awarded by the South Dakota Department of Tourism.
Quality Inn and Suites, Watertown, SD received the Great Places designation (formerly Great Service Star) from the South Dakota Dept of Tourism in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Kathy Kuno, General Manager served as the 2012 and 2013 Chairperson of the Watertown Hospitality Committee.
Quality Inn and Suites, Watertown, SD was named as one of the top 3 finalist in 2012, 2015, 2016 and 2017 for Inn of the Year from Choice Hotels International.
Quality Inn and Suites, Watertown, SD received the 2011 Outstanding Private Employer award in the small business category from the State of South Dakota.
Comfort Inn in Watertown, SD received the “Gold Hospitality Award” from Choice Hotels International for 2008.
Traci Hanchett, front desk clerk at the Comfort Inn in Watertown, SD received the “Hidden Hero” award in 2008 from the Watertown Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Kathy Kuno, General Manager of the Watertown, SD Comfort Inn became a Certified Lodging Manager in 2007 from the AHLA Educational Institute.
Kathy Kuno, former Assistant Manager and now General Manager at the Comfort Inn in Watertown, SD received the “Hidden Hero” award in 2004 from the Watertown Chamber of Commerce/Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Comfort Inn in Watertown, SD received the “Silver Hospitality Award” from Choice Hotels International for 2003.
Casey Bohling, former General Manager of the Watertown, SD Comfort Inn served as Hospitality Chairperson for the Chamber of Commerce Hospitality Committee in 2003.
Comfort Inn Watertown, SD received the “Bronze Award” in 2001 from Choice Hotels International.
Marlene Thorkelson, former emploee of the Comfort Inn, Watertown, SD received the “Regional Comfort Hero” award from Choice Hotels International in 1997.
Comfort Inn of Watertown, SD was named South Dakota Employer of the Year for ARC (Association of Retarded Citizens) in 1994.
This property has had numerous employees whom have received Governor’s Awards for Great Service from the South Dakota Department of Tourism.

Country Inn and Suites, Northwood, Iowa

The Country Inn and Suites of Northwood, IA was awarded the Radisson Hotel Group Hospitality Excellence Award in 2020 and 2021.
Tara McLaughlin, former General Manager of the Country Inn and Suites of Northwood, IA received the 2018 Hotelier of the Year awarded by the Iowa Lodging Association.
The Country Inn and Suites of Northwood, IA was awarded the Presidential Award in 2007, 2008 and 2012 from Carlson Hotels Worldwide.
Employee, Pam Elliott received the 2012 “Heart of the House” Award given out by the Iowa Lodging Association
Tara McLaughlin, former General Manager of the Country Inn and Suites in Northwood, IA served on the Board of Directors for the Iowa Lodging Association.
Tara McLaughlin, former General Manager of the Country Inn and Suites in Northwood, IA was the 2008 Vice President of the Northwood Chamber of Commerce.
Tara McLaughlin, former General Manager of the Country Inn and Suites of Northwood, IA was a Mason City Chamber Ambassador and was named the Diplomat of the Year in 2012. She also served on the Board of Directors from 2012 - 2015.

My Place Hotel, Hastings, Nebraska

My Place Hotel of Hastings, NE received the 2022 Community Cultivator Award from My Place Hotels.
My Place Hotel of Hastings, NE received the 2022 Committed to Clean Excellence Award from My Place Hotels.
Marina Grass, General Manager of the My Place Hotel of Hastings, NE serves as a board member on the Adams County Convention and Visitors Bureaus .

My Place Hotel, Twin Falls, Idaho

Diane Ward, Assistant General Manager of the My Place Hotel of Twin Falls, ID received the 2022 Rising Pineapple Award from My Place Hotels.
My Place Hotel of Twin Falls, ID received the 2018 Community Cultivator Award from My Place Hotels.

My Place Hotel, Watertown, South Dakota

My Place Hotel of Watertown, SD received the Great Places Designation from the South Dakota Department of Tourism in 2021 and 2022.

Venerts Hotel Management

Venerts Hotel Management was honored by the Watertown United Way in 2024 as the Largest % Increase in Employee Giving in the BD Division.
Venerts Hotel Management was listed as one of the Top Third-Party Management Companies by Hotel Management Magazine in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019,2020 and 2021.
Venerts Hotel Management received the SD Great Place designation (formerly the Great Service Star designation) from the South Dakota Department of Tourism in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Jodi Penrod, Director of Financial Operations because a Certificed Hospitality Accounting Executive from HFTP in 2011.
Susan Dolney, Director of Marketing and Training became a Certified Lodging Manager in 1999 from the AHLA Educational Institute.
Connie Ward, Director of Operations became a Certified Hotel Administrator in 1997 from the AHLA Educational Institue.