Katie Claire Schuler, Lutsen, received The Visitor Service Award during Explore Minnesota’s 2024 Tourism Conference last month. This recognition is for an individual on the front lines of the tourism and hospitality industry who provides outstanding service to and communication with the traveling public.
Explore Minnesota’s annual conference this year was held on February 27 at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester. More than 500 hospitality and tourism professionals from around the state and region attended.
Schuler was recognized for her work as Director of Guest Experience at Caribou Highlands Lodge in Lutsen.
“She is always smiling and sets a positive example for the rest of the team,” said Emily Haussner, General Manager of Caribou Highlands. “She consistently goes above and beyond.”
“I’m a really happy person,” Schuler said. “A fun person who bends over backward to delight our guests.”
Recognizing the responsibilities that Schuler executes well at Caribou Highlands and its sister property, Mountain Inn, Haussner has given her the title of Rooms Division Manager/Concierge Extraordinaire. In addition to planning events and managing staff, Schuler even once stepped in to officiate the wedding of a couple whose planned officiant could not be there so that the nuptials would take place.
“As someone who is on the front lines of the tourism and hospitality industry, she truly embodies excellence,” Haussner said.
Schuler and her husband, Scott, live on Lutsen Ski Hill Road. They bought a buildable lot almost seven years ago and recently moved into their newly completed house. She has worked at Caribou Highlands for four years.
The native of Howards Grove, WI, has been doing hospitality work her whole life. “Growing up, I was always the hostess at home, making sure our guests had what they wanted,” Schuler said. After nearly a decade in the hospitality industry in Florida, she moved back to Minnesota where she met Scott. The pandemic led them to relocate to the North Shore.
Schuler now has a hat trick of awards related to her work. Visit Cook County, the promotion organization for Cook County tourism, recognized her with its 2023 Heart of Hospitality award.
Her employer, Odyssey Resorts, Caribou Highlands, and Mountain Inn parent company, named her Manager of the Year.
“I love what I do. I love coming to work. I especially like working with my team,” Schuler said. “I want to thank everyone who supports me and visits our properties,” she added. “I hope to see you again soon.”
Explore Minnesota promotes Minnesota’s economy through tourism, talent attraction, and economic development marketing. Its mission is “to inspire consumers and facilitate their travel to and within Minnesota.”
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan were keynote speakers for the award ceremony, signifying the importance of tourism to the state and their recognition of the efforts of people like Schuler.
Explore Minnesota reports the state’s tourism economy generated $11.7 billion in gross sales in 2020. That year, it had over 200,000 full and part-time jobs, roughly nine percent of private sector employment.
In a memo to Odyssey staffers, Haussner wrote, “Katie Claire’s dedication to guest service is truly commendable, and we’re incredibly proud of her achievements. Her passion for hospitality shines brightly, making her an inspiration to us all.”
