Arkansas Tourism Partners

2010 Henry Awards Presented at Governor’s Conference on Tourism

Photos available: 501-682-7609; www.arkansasmediaroom.com

2010 Henry Awards Presented at Governor’s Conference on Tourism
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Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism

The Annual Henry Awards Banquet took place on Tuesday evening, March 9, concluding the 36th annual Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism. The conference was held March 7-9 in Eureka Springs. The Henry Awards honor individuals and organizations which have made important contributions to the state’s tourism industry in the preceding year.

Richard W. Davies, executive director of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, presided at the banquet and addressed more than 400 attendees concerning tourism issues in Arkansas. Miss Arkansas Sarah Slocum assisted in the presentation of the awards.

The Henry Award recipients for 2010 include:
• Media Support Award: Newport Independent, Newport
• Bootstrap Award: Whitton Farms, Whitton
• Arkansas Heritage Award: David Bogle and the Museum of Native American History, Bentonville
• Grand Old Classic Special Event Award: Opera in the Ozarks, Eureka Springs
• Outstanding Volunteer Service Award: Bert Turner, North Little Rock
• Community Tourism Development Award: First Ever Annual World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Hot Springs
• The Natural State Award: Battle of Prairie Grove Civil War Re-enactment, Prairie Grove
• Tourism Special Achievement Award: Northwest Arkansas Naturals, Springdale

The highlight of the awards ceremony was the naming of the Tourism Person of the Year, which went to Eric Jackson of Hot Springs. Also during the ceremonies, Bobbie Heffington of Little Rock, and Ness Sechrest of West Memphis were inducted into the Tourism Hall of Fame.

The Henry Awards have been a feature of the annual Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism since their debut in 1981. The awards are named for Henri de Tonti, founder of Arkansas Post in 1686 and who is often hailed as the first “Arkansas Traveler.”

For further information, contact Donna Perrin or Kristine Puckett, Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, 1 Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201. Phone: (501) 682-5240.

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