Tourism Henry Awards Finalists Named

The 2006 Henry Awards winners will be revealed at the 32nd 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 7, 2006 beginning at 7:15 p.m. at the ASU Convocation Center in Jonesboro. The Henry Awards honor Henri de Tonti, the man historians consider to be one of the first "Arkansas Travelers."

Governor Mike Huckabee and Miss Arkansas Eudora Mosby 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.

• Richard Benson, KXJK Forrest City
• Paul Holmes, Jonesboro
• Rick Rowe, KTBS-TV Shreveport

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.

• Marine Corps Legacy Museum, Harrison
• Mississippi County Historical Society & Museum, Osceola
• Rialto Community Arts Center, Morrilton

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.

• Delta Heritage Tours Gospel Choir, Helena-West Helena
• Jacksonport State Park and Mary Woods II, Newport
• Music Roots Program, Mountain View

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.

• Arkansas Rice Festival, Weiner
• Heber Springs Cardboard Boat Race
• Turkey Track Bluegrass Festival, Waldron

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.

• Pat Audirsch, Marianna
• Linda Collins-Smith, Pocahontas
• Jackson County Tourism Council Volunteers

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.

• Bikes, Blues, and BBQ, Fayetteville
• The cities of Brinkley & Clarendon
• Mayor Robert Patrick and the city of St. Charles

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.

• Department of Arkansas Heritage's Heritage Month
• Grant County Museum, Sheridan
• Natural State Chautauqua, Smackover

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.

• Clinton Presidential Library & Museum, Little Rock
• Jack Moyer, Eureka Springs
• Little Rock Tours

During the Henry Awards ceremonies, the 2006 inductees into the Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame and the 2005 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.