Nominees named for Arkansas tourism awards

Oaklawn in Hot Springs, Thrive Inc. in Helena, and the Eureka Springs City Advertising & Promotion Commission are some of the nominees for Arkansas tourism awards. The winners will be announced Feb. 25.

The Henry Awards announcements will be part of the 51st annual Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Bentonville set for Feb. 23-25. The conference will also coincide with the second annual Arkansas Outdoor Economy Summit.

The tourism awards honor the individuals, organizations, and attractions making an extraordinary impact on the state’s tourism industry, according to the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. The Henry Award is named after Henri de Tonti, a 17th-century explorer believed to be one of the first Arkansas Travelers and who is credited with developing the first trading post in Arkansas.

Following are the 2025 tourism award categories and nominees.
The Tourism Attraction of the Year
This award recognizes the contribution of local attractions in drawing visitors, delivering excellence in customer service and enhancing the profile of the area. Nominees are:
• Peel Compton Foundation – Coler Mountain Bike Preserve (Bentonville)
• World Famous Armadillo Festival (Hamburg)
• Oaklawn (Hot Springs)

Individual Innovation in Tourism
This award is presented to an individual who has created or spearheaded an innovative project that breaks the traditional tourism mold and/or highlights effective public/private partnership. Nominees are:
• Bobby Finster, Rural Innovation Group (Batesville)
• Brandon Kelley, Discover Bella Vista (Bella Vista)
• Jeff Rose, Buffalo Outdoor Center (Buffalo River Region)

The Natural State Tourism Development Award
The award is presented to a community, organization, special event or attraction for an innovative project that “stands out from the crowd” because of its unique appeal or creative approach that increases community pride and placemaking. The nominees are:
• Moon Over Main (Russellville)
• Thrive Inc. – Helena Adventure Company (Helena)
• Experience Fayetteville – Fayetteville Bikepacking Route Network (Fayetteville)

The Tourism Organization of the Year
This award is presented to a convention and visitors bureau, advertising and promotion commission, chamber of commerce, or other entity for excellence over the course of the previous year. The nominees are:
• Visit Hot Springs (Hot Springs)
• Eureka Springs City Advertising & Promotion Commission (Eureka Springs)
• Visit Bentonville (Bentonville)

During the awards ceremony, the Tourism Person of the Year will also be announced. Selected by former honorees, the Tourism Person of the Year award is presented to an individual who is actively involved in tourism and has made a substantial contribution within the past year to the betterment of the tourism industry.

The 2025 Tourism Hall of Fame inductees (Joe DeVito and Alice Walton) were previously announced and will also be honored during the ceremony.