IDDC Announces Will Koch, Visit Indiana Leadership and 12 Hoosier Hospitality Award Recipients
INDIANAPOLIS (Nov. 10, 2025) – The Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC) announced at the Indianapolis Zoo that Alvin and Elsie Miller, owners of the Davis Mercantile in Shipshewana, are this year's recipients of the Will Koch Indiana Tourism Leadership Award.
(Pictured above is the Miller Family)
With a vision for a multi-complex retail space, Alvis and Elsie Miller purchased the Old Davis Hotel in the 1980s. With a dream in hand, ideas turned into reality as construction began on what is now called the “Davis Mercantile,” expanding into several businesses. On Feb. 28, 2004, a fire broke out and burned down the Davis Mercantile along with a block of several businesses in Shipshewana. With so much history and investment lost, the Millers were unsure what to do. Letters of support soon began to pour in from all over the world, and the Millers knew what they had to do - rebuild. With the help of the local Amish community, the Millers were able to rebuild, expand and make their dreams come true, even with an indoor carousel on the third floor. Today, the Davis Mercantile houses over 20 unique stores ranging from quilt makers to toy stores along with food and entertainment. Shipshewana and the Davis Mercantile welcomes over 2 million visitors annually.
“It’s an incredible honor to receive this prestigious award,” said Alvin and Elsie Miller, founders of the Davis Mercantile. “We are truly humbled and grateful to everyone who has supported us along the way.”
The Will Koch Indiana Tourism Leadership Award is presented annually and is the highest tourism honor given by the state. The award is named for the late Will Koch, long-time owner and president of Holiday World & Splashin' Safari.
Visit Indiana and the Koch family established the award to pay tribute to Will. He was a visionary leader with a deep passion for Indiana and our travel, tourism, and hospitality industry.
“Like Will, Alvin and Elsie Miller are true entrepreneurs who strengthen and enrich the tourism industry,” said Amy Howell, IDDC Interim CEO. “They have helped shape the Shipshewana community with an asset like the Davis Mercantile.”
"The Miller family has been instrumental in making the Davis Mercantile and Shipshewana a place for everyone to come and be treated like family," said Sonya Nash, Executive Director of Shipshewana/LaGrange County Convention & Visitors Bureau (LCCVB).
Nominations for the Will Koch Indiana Tourism Leadership Award are submitted by community leaders and members of Indiana's travel, tourism, and hospitality industry. A panel reviews submissions.
A video of this year's Will Koch Indiana Tourism Leadership Award can be found here.
Amy Howell presented Doug Weisheit, Indiana State Festivals Association (ISFA) Coordinator and ISFA1 Driver, with the Visit Indiana Leadership Award.
For over 30 years, Doug has been a visionary, a leader, and an advocate for tourism in Indiana. One of Doug’s most outstanding achievements has been his transformational leadership of the Indiana State Festivals Association (ISFA).
During Doug’s tenure, ISFA has flourished as Indiana’s largest festivals and events membership organization. Because of his leadership, the Indiana Festival Guide features nearly 600 festivals and events. He currently serves as the ISFA Coordinator and ISFA1 Driver. In addition to serving the ISFA, he is also a member of Parke County Convention & Visitors Commission and Boone County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Inc. His personal dedication reflects the award’s emphasis on leadership and pioneering promotional initiatives.
"Doug is always advocating for Indiana’s festivals and tourism," said Amy Howell, IDDC Interim CEO. "His long-standing commitment to tourism and to communities all across the state of Indiana exemplifies the Visit Indiana Leadership Award."
IDDC also awarded 12 tourism industry representatives with a Hoosier Hospitality Award for their high level of service in tourism-related jobs at hotels, restaurants, attractions and other destinations.
"These 12 individuals represent what Hoosier Hospitality means," said Amy Howell, IDDC Interim CEO. “Because of people like this, Indiana’s tourism and hospitality industry continues to shine.”
The 2025 Hoosier Hospitality winners are:
Chelsey Atkinson, Sales Manager, Fairfield by Marriott Evansville East, Vanderburgh County
Connor Barnette, Event Organizer, Rock the Rind, Brownstown Ewing Main Street, Jackson County
John Bobby Bonus, Director of Rooms, The Bradley Hotel, Allen County
Barb and Brook Fetters, Owners, The Purviance House Bed & Breakfast, Huntington County
Natalie Garza, General Manager, Bellaboo’s Play & Discovery Center, Lake County
Betty Ann Kessinger, Tour Guide & Hospitality Assistant, Beasley’s Orchard & Visit Hendricks County, Hendricks County
Caitlyn Mathew, Sales Manager, Fairfield Inn Marriott Evansville West, Vanderburgh County
Tiffany Lauderdale Phillips, Owner, Wild Geese Bookshop, Johnson County
Cyndi Schlemmer, Secretary and Volunteer Coordinator, Ligonier Visitor Center & Heritage Station Museum, Noble County
Ronnie Snook, General Manager, Holiday Inn Express - Howe/Sturgis, LaGrange County
Atilla Tas, Night Audit, Fairfield by Marriott Evansville East, Vanderburgh County
Terri Trowbridge, Executive Director, Ripley County Tourism Bureau, Ripley County
Nominations for the Hoosier Hospitality Awards and the Visit Indiana Leadership award are submitted by community members and destination patrons and are reviewed and selected by IDDC. Outstanding service is a significant factor in determining whether a person returns to an individual business or destination.
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