Judy Franz, executive director of the Page Lake Powell Chamber of Commerce, is the winner of the 2024 Governor’s Spirit of Service Award. The prestigious award is for an individual, group, event or attraction which best exemplifies the Arizona tourism industry’s commitment to exceptional customer service.

Franz told the Chronicle she will receive the award Aug. 22 at the Arizona Governor’s Conference on Tourism. The three-day event is in Paradise Valley, Arizona.

Director Anthony Janssen and Ladge Media camera crew were in Page recording and interviewing for a short film showcasing Franz and Page attractions. Conference attendees will view the film at the award ceremonies, then Franz will go onstage to accept the award.

Ladge Media’s timing was ideal. On Aug.1, the film crew joined chamber members aboard the Canyon Princess. The Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas Chamber Mixer gave the filmmakers plenty to work with, not only for the scenery, but to experience the local business community at its finest.

Director of Photography Ryan Dent told the Chronicle they had close to two hours of footage and were recording more the following day. Ultimately, several hours of shooting would result in about a three-minute video for the awards ceremony.

At the Aug. 1 mixer, Chamber Board President Joe Lapekas spoke and reminded everyone of all the work Franz did helping the business community get through the pandemic. “Thank you all. It's pretty amazing how we did that, how we had our meetings and our Zoom meetings and all that. It's so incredible that we helped each other with a little shoulder to lean on.”

“I go every year to the governor's conference and it's always great,” said Franz, addressing chamber members. “I love it. It's all about tourism, and that's been my whole thing. And it's all about you guys, because without you guys, there's no tourism. So, I want to make sure when I go down that I will be thanking all of you guys, because Page has been getting represented better and better each year. Greg (Economic Development Director Greg Martinez) at the city and I used to say nobody sees us past Flagstaff. Well, you know what? They now see us past Flagstaff, and they know exactly where we are. So, I'm honored to get the award.”

The last chamber mixer on the Canyon Princess was Feb. 5, 2020, shortly before states began implementing shutdowns March 15, 2020 to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Chamber mixers stopped and Franz and Martinez shifted gears and began holding regular Zoom meetings to keep communication networks alive and the community informed.