Columbus, Tupelo Win Tourism Awards
This week, the Mississippi Development Authority’s Tourism Division and Mississippi Tourism Association presented a host of awards to tourism entities around the state during the 2012 Governor’s Conference on Tourism.
Held at Gold Strike Casino Resort in Tunica, the awards ceremony showcased the best and brightest tourism organizations, staff members, volunteers and projects from across Mississippi. The award recipients were as follows:
Research-In-Action Awards:
Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau, Capital/River Region
Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce-Main Street-Tourism Bureau, Coastal Region
Greenville-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau and Greenwood Convention and Visitors Bureau, Delta Region
Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau, Hills Region
Lauderdale County Tourism, Pines Region
Hattiesburg Tourism and Convention Commissions, At-Large
Oxford Convention and Visitors Bureau, At-Large
Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, At-Large
Hall of Fame Awards:
Connie Taunton, Natchez Convention and Visitors Bureau
Dick Guyton, Tupelo
Margaret Miller, Ocean Springs
Anne Coggins, Tunica
Travel Media Award, Travel Writers: Mary Ann Anderson, Freelance Travel Writer
Travel Media Award, Travel Trade Publication: Bank Travel Management/The Group Travel Leader, Brian Jewell, Associate Editor
Travel Media, Consumer Magazine: “Columbus: Discover a New World”
Community Volunteer of the Year: Jan Pannell, Tupelo
Governmental Friend of Tourism Award: The Honorable William Winter
Tourism Achievement Award: Hattiesburg Zoo
Tourism Promotion of the Year: Greenwood Convention and Visitors Bureau, “Proud Host to ‘The Help’”
Mississippi Travel Attraction of the Year: Gateway to the Blues Visitors Center, Tunica
Small Festival or Event of the Year: Leland Frog Fest, Leland
Large Festival or Event of the Year: Bay Bridgefest, Bay St. Louis
Mississippi Tourism Association Member of the Year: Kristie Fairley, Deputy Director, Hattiesburg Convention and Visitors Bureau
Convention and Visitors Bureau of the Year:
Holly Springs Tourism and Recreation Bureau, $0-$249,999 Budget Category
Yazoo County Convention and Visitors Bureau, $250,000-$499,000 Budget Category
Desoto County Tourism Association, $500,000 to $749,000 Budget Category
Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau, $750,000 and Over Budget Category
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