Fort Smith GRIT award winners announced

The Fort Smith Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Giving Recognition in Tourism (GRIT) Award recipients were announced Thursday (April 23), with the Robert Westphal Family capturing the Polly Crews Hospitality Person of the Year.

The 4th Annual GRIT Awards were presented at the MovieLounge, and the event serves to showcase the accomplishments of finalists who demonstrated GRIT – within the area’s growing hospitality and tourism profession – through the dedication of their time, energy and expertise.

During the awards ceremony, the Fort Smith Convention & Visitors Bureau also honored the past year’s Hometown Hospitality Heroes, who had all been highlighted in City of Fort Smith’s Fast Focus e-newsletter for supporting area tourism through efforts related to hosting or bringing conventions to the city in 2014 and early 2015. The Hometown Hospitality Honorees were:
• Kermit Walsh & Jackie Hoffarth for their efforts in the development of Fort Smith Western Heritage Month and related events;

• Bill Ladd & Larry Rhodes for their efforts in bringing the Arkansas Realtors Association convention to Fort Smith;

• Daniel Shue for his efforts in bringing the Arkansas Prosecuting Attorneys Association conventions to Fort Smith;

• Patrick Pendleton for his efforts and leadership in the development of the very first Fort Smith Marathon; and

• Alie Bahsoon for his efforts in bringing the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing convention to Fort Smith.

This year’s GRIT Award winners were:
• Restaurant Partner of the Year: Bricktown Brewery
• Lodging Partner of the Year: Comfort Inn & Suites
• Attraction Partner of the Year: Chaffee Crossing (Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority)
• Business Partner of the Year: Mercy Fort Smith
• Polly Crews Hospitality Person of the Year: Robert Westphal Family