Festival Country Employee Receives Hoosier Hospitality Award
The friendly, engaging person who welcomes people to the Festival Country Indiana visitor center most days and customizes a fun list of things for people to do was presented with a Hoosier Hospitality Award on Tuesday.
Whitney Habig, visitor services & engagement specialist at Festival Country, is one of 18 people honored by the Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC) at a ceremony in Indianapolis. Each winner exemplifies a high level of service in the tourism industry.
Felicia Houston, director of operations & creative services, nominated Habig, who has been with Festival Country since 2025.
“Whitney is the embodiment of Hoosier hospitality as she consistently goes above and beyond to create specialized visitor experiences,” said Houston. “From thoughtfully curated goody bags to customized notes and cards, she finds creative ways to make every visitor feel seen and heard.”
“In addition to her engaging personality is her knowledge of the county. She is an expert in event planning and suggesting personalized, memorable experiences. She is trusted as a reliable resource to local residents, visitors and community leaders. Whitney is both an invaluable asset to the county and the state as a member of the Festival Country team.”
A reception was organized by IDDC at the Indiana Statehouse, and they recognized the winners of three awards: Hoosier Hospitality, Visit Indiana Leadership and Will Koch Indiana Tourism Leadership. Nominations for the Hoosier Hospitality Awards and the Visit Indiana Leadership Award are submitted by community members and destination partners and are reviewed and selected by IDDC.
“Across Indiana, individuals and businesses are proving how tourism can fuel economic vitality. It starts with a visit—and the experiences, connections and investments that follow can drive local growth, inspire community pride, and strengthen commerce in every corner of our state,” said Indiana Secretary of Commerce Chuck Goodrich.
Festival Country Indiana is the official destination organization for the communities of Johnson County. Visit festivalcountryindiana.com to learn more.