The Henry Awards from the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism concluded the 41st Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism, held March 8-10 in Texarkana, and recognized individuals and organizations that made important contributions to the state’s tourism industry over the past year.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson presided at the event, which drew roughly 600.
Troy Keeping, president and CEO of Southland Racing and Gaming in West Memphis, was named Tourism Person of the Year, and Greg Butts, director of Arkansas State Parks, and Joe David Rice, director of Arkansas Tourism, were inducted into the Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame.
The Henry Award recipients for 2014 include:
• Media Support Award: Gospel Station Network, Oklahoma
• Bootstrap Award: WWII Japanese American Internment Museum, McGehee
• Arkansas Heritage Award: Johnny Cash Boyhood Home, Dyess
• Grand Old Classic Special Event Award: Quapaw Quarter Association Spring Tour of Homes, Little Rock
• Outstanding Volunteer Service Award: Charles Snapp, Walnut Ridge
• Community Tourism Development Award: Hot Springs Baseball Trail, Hot Springs
• The Natural State Award: Bridges of Pulaski County/River Lights in the Rock, Little Rock
• Tourism Special Achievement Award: U.S. Marshals Commemorative Coin Program
The Henry Awards have been a feature of the annual Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism since 1981, and are named for Henri de Tonti, founder of Arkansas Post in 1686, who is often hailed as the first “Arkansas Traveler.”
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