Arkansas Broadcasters to launch hall of fame

The Arkansas Broadcasters Association announced Monday (April 22) it will begin the Arkansas Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2024.

“For years, the ABA awarded a ‘Pioneer Award’ to deserving broadcasters”, said ABA President Greg Horne. “Arkansas is fortunate to have so many broadcasters who make tremendous contributions to our industry and their local communities and we want to start a way to recognize their contributions in a meaningful way.”

Any association member can nominate a person for the hall of fame.

There is an application process and applicants will be evaluated by the ABA’s newly formed Hall of Fame Committee. There will be up to five people inducted each year into the Hall of Fame.

The induction ceremony will be at the Hall of Fame Dinner, a part of the ABA’s Annual Convention. This year’s convention will be October 13-15 in Hot Springs.

The nominations will be evaluated in three areas. The largest portion of the evaluation will be centered on the nominee’s career in Arkansas. The two other portions relate to the person’s contributions to their local communities and their contribution to the broadcast industry in Arkansas.

“There are so many deserving individuals,” said Horne. “From people whose entrepreneurial spirit led them to start radio or TV stations, to on-air personalities to those who educated broadcasters, I’m sure the committee will have many wonderful nominees to choose from.”

He also said all previous ABA Pioneer Award Winners will be automatically inducted into the inaugural class.

Nominations, which can be made here, are now open and must be submitted no later than July 15th. Inductees will be notified by the end of August.