2008 Henry Awards at Arkansas Governor's Conference on Tourism

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. October 14, 2008

MARCH 12, 2008. The 2008 Henry Award ceremonies took place at the Governor's Banquet on Tuesday evening, March 11, concluding the 34th annual Arkansas Governor's Conference on Tourism. The conference was held March 9-11 in Rogers, AR.

Governor Mike Beebe presided over the event and addressed more than 675 attendees concerning tourism issues in Arkansas. The speech was followed by the annual Henry Awards. Richard W. Davies, executive director of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, served as master of ceremonies and Miss Arkansas Katie Bailey assisted in the presentation of the awards.

The annual Henry Awards honor individuals and organizations which have made important contributions to the state's tourism industry in the preceding year.

The Henry Award recipients for 2008 include:

Media Support Award: Today's THV - Channel 11, Little Rock

Bootstrap Award: Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, Eureka Springs

Arkansas Heritage Award: Lakeport Plantation/the Sam E. Angel Family, Lake Village

Grand Old Classic Special Event Award: Four States Fair & Rodeo, Texarkana

Outstanding Volunteer Service Award: Bill Ott, Eureka Springs

Community Tourism Development Award: Russellville Advertising & Promotion Commission

The Natural State Award: Crater of Diamonds State Park, Murfreesboro

Tourism Special Achievement Award: Bikes Blues & BBQ, Fayetteville

Crystal Awards for special achievement in the tourism industry were awarded to the Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock, and the Moro Big Pine Wildlife Management Area located between El Dorado and Hampton.

The highlight of the awards ceremony was the naming of the Tourism Person of the Year, which went to North Little Rock mayor Patrick Henry Hays. Also during the ceremonies, Janie Glover of Fort Smith, and Marvin Peterson of Eureka Springs 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 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.