Bavarian Inn Lodge’s Judy Zehnder Keller Honored as a “Woman of Achievement” by Great Lakes Bay YWCA

Judy Zehnder Keller, president of the Bavarian Inn Lodge, received a 2016 Women of Achievement Award from the Great Lakes Bay YWCA at a special awards ceremony and dinner held Wednesday, March 16 at the Horizons Conference Center in Saginaw. She was honored as Entrepreneur in recognition of her accomplishments as the driving force for one of Frankenmuth’s most popular vacation venues.

The purpose of the annual event, held as an extension of the YWCA’s mission of empowering women, is to honor leaders who have made outstanding contributions in: Business, Community Leadership, Education, Healthcare, Entrepreneurship or Lifetime Achievement.

Reflecting on the award, Zehnder Keller noted she was fortunate to have a strong role model in her mother, Dorothy Zehnder, the 94-year-old matriarch of the Frankenmuth’s Bavarian Inn saying, “I see her both as my mentor and a passionate business leader,” she said.

Zehnder Keller has built her life on the foundation of service that her parents began in the 1950s with the Bavarian Inn Restaurant. She officially began serving at the restaurant at the age of 15 and worked in a variety of roles working up to creating the Lodge. In addition to being president of the Lodge, Zehnder Keller is also president of the Frankenmuth Motel, Frankenmuth Cheese Haus, and Frankenmuth Gift Shops.

Zehnder Keller is a pioneer and role model with a long line of “firsts:” first female Frankenmuth City Council Member where she served for 12 years; first female Rotary Club member in 1991 and then president in 2007-08.

Her numerous awards include statewide recognition as 2015 RD Musser Hotelier of the Year by the Michigan Lodging and Tourism Association (MTLA) as well as Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2002. Zehnder Keller also ranked 10th out of 200 national finalists in Start Up Nation’s 2011 Leading Mothers in Business competition. In 2012, Zehnder Keller, along with daughter Martha Zehnder Keller, made history by receiving Michigan State University’s prestigious “Industry Leader of the Year” and “Emerging Leader of the Year” awards, becoming the first mother and daughter to claim the honors presented by The School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University. She also received the Jaycees top honor – the 2011 Herbert L. Keinath Distinguished Service Award – given for selfless contributions to the local community.

Zehnder Keller attended Michigan State University where she received an M.A. in Educational Psychology and a B.A. in Hotel, Restaurant & Institutional Management.

Since first opening its doors to guests in 1986, the Bavarian Inn Lodge has been wishing a hearty “willkommen” to millions of visitors to Frankenmuth – one of Michigan’s top tourist destinations. Throughout 2016, the lodge, together with its 360 employees, is observing its 30th anniversary of providing old-world hospitality in a fun and family-friendly atmosphere.
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Bavarian Inn Lodge: (http://www.bavarianinn.com/ ) Celebrating its 30th year, and nestled along the Cass River in one of Michigan’s top tourist destinations – Frankenmuth – is one of the state’s largest Indoor Water Park Hotels! The Lodge has 360 European-themed guest rooms, including whirlpool and family suites, an adult-only pool and whirlpool, two gift shops, two lounges and two restaurants — all under one roof. The expansive 35,000 square feet Family Fun Center houses two dramatic waterslides, three pools and two whirlpools, over 150 video and redemption games, a two-story children’s play village and Willy’s Kingdom indoor mini-golf course. Guests can also enjoy live, year-round nightly entertainment and test their own musical skills during weekend family karaoke shows. In 30 years of business, the Bavarian Inn Lodge has been an important destination for travelers, evidenced by the 1.25 million room-nights that have been booked there since its opening, along with its top rating on TripAdvisor®.
About YWCA Great Lakes Bay Region (http://ywcaglbr.org/index.html ) focuses on the economic advancement of women in the Great Lakes Bay Region Bay, Saginaw, Midland and Isabella County. Located in Bay City, Michigan, its community education program offers education and professional development opportunities to the public. The organization also operates the YWCA Women’s Resource Center which includes a full technology center and provides education, resume development, job searches, computer literacy skills, legal assistance referrals, financial literacy and other support services to assist women in becoming economically self-sufficient.

Media contact: Sue Voyles, 734-667-2005 sue@logos-communications.com
Bavarian Inn Lodge Press Room: http://logos-communications.com/bavarianinnlodge/

Bavarian Inn Lodge: (http://www.bavarianinn.com/ ) Celebrating its 30th year, and nestled along the Cass River in one of Michigan’s top tourist destinations – Frankenmuth – is one of the state’s largest Indoor Water Park Hotels! The Lodge has 360 European-themed guest rooms, including whirlpool and family suites, an adult-only pool and whirlpool, two gift shops, two lounges and two restaurants — all under one roof. The expansive 35,000 square feet Family Fun Center houses two dramatic waterslides, three pools and two whirlpools, over 150 video and redemption games, a two-story children’s play village and Willy’s Kingdom indoor mini-golf course. Guests can also enjoy live, year-round nightly entertainment and test their own musical skills during weekend family karaoke shows. In 30 years of business, the Bavarian Inn Lodge has been an important destination for travelers, evidenced by the 1.25 million room-nights that have been booked there since its opening, along with its top rating on TripAdvisor®.

713 S. Main Street
Frankenmuth, MI

This release was published on openPR.