Fast Becoming an Arkansas Family Recreation Destination.
One of our clients, Fairfield Bay, Arkansas, who we’ve worked with for the past decade, was recently recognized by the governor at the annual tourism conference and brought home the coveted Henry Award for Tourism. Below you will find an excerpt of the story from Fairfield Bay News:
Arkansas tourism partners from across the state on Tuesday March 15th honored the 2016 winners of the annual “Henry Awards” during a luncheon at the 42nd Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism. Henry Awards honor individuals and organizations that have made important contributions to the state’s tourism industry in the preceding year.
Fairfield Bay garnered the prestigious Community Tourism Development Award by achieving substantial success for their imaginative and innovation development efforts, resulting in creating a family recreation destination in the state of Arkansas.
“What an honor, and a fantastic validation of our achievements as a community. Five years ago, we came together and made a decision to initiate a marketing resurgence. From hospitality training, to a marketing plan, opening our Conference and Visitor Center, to the development of 9 new events and so much more. It’s not just one thing, but the combination of all those things,” explains Mayor Paul Wellenberger. “People come to Fairfield Bay because of our communication and advertising, but they come back again and again because our community delivers on a memorable and wonderful experience.”
Governor Asa Hutchinson presided at the banquet and addressed nearly 500 attendees about tourism issues in Arkansas. Kane Webb, executive director of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, served as master of ceremonies and Miss Arkansas 2015 Loren McDaniel assisted in the presentation of the awards.
The 2016 Henry Award winners were:
- Media Support Award: Arkansas Life, Little Rock
- Bootstrap Award: Greater Searcy County Chamber of Commerce, Marshall
- Arkansas Heritage Award: Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission, Little Rock
- Grand Old Classic Special Event Award: King Biscuit Blues Festival, Helena-West Helena
- Outstanding Volunteer Service Award: Adam Davis, Mammoth Spring
- Community Tourism Development Award: City of Fairfield Bay
- The Natural State Award: Razorback Regional Greenway, Northwest Arkansas
- Tourism Person of the Year: Tom Walton, Walton Family Foundation and RopeSwing, Bentonville
- 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.”
Be Part of the Awards Celebration. Join Fairfield Bay community in celebrating our 50th Anniversary, where part of the days events will includes a presentation of the Henry Award. The Announce City of Distinction award, Crew and Associates to present Recycle Center Award.
Fairfield Bay’s Recent Awards & Accolades:
- Arkansas City of Distinction Awards – Quality of Life (2014), Green Initiative (2015), – Arkansas Business
- Henry Award for Tourism Excellence (2016), – Arkansas Parks & Tourism
- Safest City in Arkansas (2015), – OnlyInYourState.com
- Happiest City in Arkansas (2015), – OnlyInYourState.com
- Master Gardener’s Project of the Year (2014), – Univ. of AR Extension, VBC Master Gardeners
- An Arkansas Volunteer City-of-the-Year (2015), – Arkansas Parks & Tourism
- Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence (2014 & 2015), – Little Red Restaurant
To learn more about Fairfield Bay – www.VisitFairfieldBay.com, or call 501-884-4202.
Source: Fairfield Bay News
