Minnesota's Treasure Island named property of the year

Starting as a small bingo hall on Prairie Island owned by the Prairie Island Indian Community, Treasure Island added more gaming space, a restaurant and the Tradewinds Buffet over the years. In 1996, it added a 250-room luxury hotel, a 197-slip marina, RV park and a new cruise ship.

In the fall of 2008, Treasure Island added a new Island Event and Convention Center, which seats nearly 3,000 people, as well as a 24-lane Brunswick bowling center and arcade. A second hotel tower with 230 nonsmoking rooms was also completed.

The Prairie Island Indian Community diversified its business interests with Mount Frontenac Golf Course in 2000 and the Dakota Station and convenience store in 2004.

Recently, it added more hotel suites and a new steak house called Tado, which is scheduled to open in February.

Revenue generated by Treasure Island is used to provide infrastructure for the reservation and support the future of Tribal members. The Tribe also supports many nonprofit organizations throughout the region with funding and donations.

The Property of the Year awards recognize the "impact on the lodging industry each has made, be it as a new property, by making a significant turnaround as an existing property, or by being a model of stability." Treasure Island's Director of Hospitality Mark Dunn accepted the award for the property.