Jan Gladson, Whispering Waters Resort, Underwood, was inducted into the prestigious Minnesota Hospitality Hall of Fame Award, October 15, at the Minnesota Resort & Campground Association Fall Conference in Two Harbors, Minn.
The MRCA Minnesota Hospitality Hall of Fame Award is bestowed on those individuals who have made a significant contribution to the development of the resort and campground industry in the state. Gladson exemplifies such an individual.
"Jan was one of the first people we ever met when we got into the business," said Cheryl Harris, Northern Lights Resort, Dead Lake. "She and her husband Don were a wealth of information and support. They really helped us get on our feet."
She and her husband purchased their resort on East Lost Lake at the mouth of the Ottertail River in 1974. She always tried to live up to the adage: "Promoting the importance of getting to know guests and providing quality services during their vacations." She has said the best part of the business is watching families grow up, recalling one family who came for a first visit on a honeymoon and now comes back every year with grandchildren.
Gladson has been a tireless promoter of tourism and has been active with the MRCA, serving as its president in 1989. She was also the recipient of the Resort of the Year Award in 1992. She is also involved in the Order of the Easton Star, Otter Tail Country Tourism Association, Minnesota Heartland Tourism Association and the Fergus Falls Chamber of Commerce.
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Upon accepting the Minnesota Hospitality Hall of Fame Award, Gladson was visibly moved. "I've never seen my mom at a loss for words," said her daughter, Linda Hageseth. Gladson thanked the Association for the honor and then talked about the importance of smaller family-focused resorts to the character of the state.
"Let's keep them going," she said.
"She's been a real inspiration to a lot of resorters," commented Cheryl Harris about Gladson.
The Minnesota Hospitality Hall of Fame Award is given out annually and is the new name for the MRCA's previous Pioneer Award, which had been given to such luminaries in the resort and campground industry as Jim Madden, Justine Kerfoot, Goldie Pohlman, Eleanor Gmeinder, John Arnold, Vera Kinder, Dutch and Irma Cragun, Kal Kielser, Jack Ruttger, Jack Bugbee and the entire Kaldahl and Leagjeld families.
All of these recipients will now be considered Minnesota Hospitality Hall of Fame winners as well.
