Finalists for the Arkansas Tourism Henry Awards Named

December 18, 2003


Finalists for the Arkansas
Tourism Henry Awards Named
*****
Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism

The winners of this year's Henry Awards will be revealed at the 30th Annual Arkansas Governor's Conference on Tourism. The ceremony will take place during the Governor's Banquet on the final night of the conference, Tuesday, March 9, beginning at 7:15 p.m. at the Fayetteville Town Center. The Henry Awards are named for Henri de Tonti, the man historians consider to be one of the first "Arkansas Travelers."

Governor Mike Huckabee and Miss Arkansas Whitney Kirk will present the awards, following the governor's annual address to the tourism industry. Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism Executive Director Richard W. Davies will preside at the awards ceremony.

The awards and respective finalists are:

THE MEDIA SUPPORT AWARD . . . presented annually to a distinguished individual or organization for extraordinary attention to and/or support of Arkansas' tourism industry through the use of media.

* Jack E. Hill, Little Rock
* Jeff Christenson, Harrison
* Matt Fite, Memphis

THE BOOTSTRAP AWARD . . . presented annually to an individual, organization or community that has achieved significant success "on a shoestring," having limited means to work with, either in resources or finances.

* Arkansas Historic Wine Museum, Paris
* EMOBA (Ernie's Museum of Black Arkansans), Little Rock
* Imperial Dinner Theatre, Pocahontas

THE ARKANSAS HERITAGE AWARD . . . presented annually to an individual, organization or community that has made a significant contribution toward the preservation of some aspect of Arkansas' natural, cultural or aesthetic legacy.

* Carnal Hall, Fayetteville
* Delta Cultural Center, Helena
* Wolf House, Norfork

THE GRAND OLD CLASSIC SPECIAL EVENT AWARD . . . presented annually to a festival, fair or other special celebration which has "stood the test of time" and become an established example for the more than 1,200 special events held in Arkansas each year.

* Eureka Springs Antique Auto Festival
* Turkey Trot Festival, Yellville
* Wiederkehr Village Weinfest

THE OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD . . . presented annually to a community, individual or organization that, through outstanding volunteer spirit, has made a substantial contribution to Arkansas' tourism industry.

* The cities of Brinkley, Helena and Marianna
* Charles P. "Chuck" Gordon, Russellville
* Citizens of McNab

THE COMMUNITY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AWARD . . . presented annually to an individual or organization which has achieved substantial success in the enhancement of its local resources through imaginative and innovative development efforts.

* Eureka Springs Group Coop
* Lights of the Delta, Blytheville
* Showdown at Sunset, El Dorado

THE NATURAL STATE AWARD . . . presented annually to a community, organization, special event or attraction which "stands out in the crowd" because of its unique appeal, media coverage, creative approach and/or enhancement of community pride, thus benefiting the state's quality of life.

* Arkansas Highway Department's "Pave the Way" campaign
* Dardanelle State Park Visitor Information Center
* White River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center

THE TOURISM SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD . . .presented annually to an individual or organization that has contributed to the tourism industry through leadership "above and beyond" the normal requirements of their jobs.

* Arkansas Hospitality Association's, "Hospitality University"
* Joseph "Joe" Dabney, Mountain View
* Oaklawn Park, Hot Springs

Also during the Henry Awards ceremonies, the 2004 inductees into the Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame and the 2003 Tourism Person of the Year will be announced.

For more information on the 30th Annual Governor's Conference on Tourism, contact the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism at (501) 682-1088. For specific information on the Henry Awards, contact Donna Perrin in the Tourism Development Section of the Department of Parks and Tourism, (501) 682-1926 or (501) 682-5240.
 

Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, (501) 682-7606
E-mail: info@arkansas.com

May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
"Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism"