Tourism Henry Awards Finalists Named

December 10, 2009

Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism

The 2010 Henry Awards winners will be revealed at the 36th 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, 2010, beginning at 7:15 p.m. at the Best Western Inn of the Ozarks in Eureka Springs. The Henry Awards honor Henri de Tonti, the man historians consider to be among the first “Arkansas Travelers.”

Governor Mike Beebe has been invited to address the tourism industry. Miss Arkansas Sarah Slocum will present awards to the recipients and Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism Executive Director Richard W. Davies will preside at the 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’s tourism industry through the use of media.

Bob Moore, Rust Communications, Cassville, MO

Jimmy Sledge, Warren

Newport Independent, Newport

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.

Argenta Downtown Council, North Little Rock

Sunken Lands Regional Chamber of Commerce, Tyronza

Whitton Farms, Whitton

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’s natural, cultural, or aesthetic legacy.

Crossett Historical Society, Crossett

David Bogle and the Museum of Native American History, Bentonville Eureka Springs Parks & Recreation Commission, Eureka Springs

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.

Frisco Festival, Rogers

Opera in the Ozarks, Eureka Springs

Terrapin Derby, Lepanto

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’s tourism industry.

Bert Turner, North Little Rock

Bull Shoals Powerhouse Tours, Lakeview

Lori A. Spencer, Paris

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.

First Ever Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Hot Springs Pumpkin Hollow, Piggott

Southern Bancorp, Helena-West Helena

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.

Battle of Prairie Grove Civil War Reenactment, Prairie Grove

Caroling in the Caverns, Mountain View

Heifer International’s Heifer Village, Little Rock

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.

Nashville High School Travel & Tourism Program, Nashville

Northwest Arkansas Naturals, Springdale

Ross Moore, Clinton

During the Henry Awards ceremonies the 2010 inductees into the Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame and the 2009 Tourism Person of the Year will also be announced. The Hall of Fame honor is presented annually to individuals who have been actively involved in tourism for many years and who have made substantial contributions to the betterment of the industry as a whole. Selected by former honorees, the Tourism Person of the Year Award is presented annually to an individual who has been actively involved in tourism and who has made a substantial contribution, within the past year, to the betterment of this industry as a whole. For more information on the 36th Annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism, contact the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism at (501) 682-6999. For specific information on the Henry Awards, contact Donna Perrin or Kristine Puckett at (501) 682-5240.