Skip Rutherford, Batesville native and dean of the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service, told regional tourism leaders here Saturday evening that northcentral Arkansas is primed to become a major travel destination within the near future.
“This area has great rivers, excellent museums, historic downtown shopping districts, unspoiled outdoor and water recreation, scenic beauty and a world of friendly people,” he noted. “In years to come, families living in congested areas are going to be searching more and more for vacation spots that offer what you have here.”
Recalling the days just prior to the opening of the Clinton Presidential Center, Rutherford said that all service-oriented workers in the downtown Little Rock area were invited to tour the facility before it was opened to the public. “Those who came and toured became our ambassadors, spreading the word to visitors that the Center was a must-place to see while in town.”
Congressman Rick Crawford performs at 2012 Ozark Gateway Region Banquet.
The Ozark Gateway Tourist Council, second oldest regional tourism organization in the state, celebrated its 51th anniversary on April 14, during the annual Leo Rainey Tourism Appreciation Banquet. The event was held at the Creekside Loft dinner theater in Hardy, with entertainment by “American Idol” contestant Lauren Gray and Congressman Rick Crawford.
Lauren Gray performs at 2012 Ozark Gateway Region Banquet
During the awards program, Brenda Mans, a staff member at Lake Charles State Park in Lawrence County received the Tom Biggs Award for her many years of volunteer service to regional tourism. She has given hundreds of hours working at travel and sport shows, marketing the Gateway guide book in her home county and promoting the eight-county region. The award, presented since 1985, is named for the late Thomas A. Biggs, one of Gateway’s most dedicated volunteers.
Tom Biggs Recipient Brenda Mans presented the top region award from Cathy Drew, Executive Director (Brenda Tourism Award)
The President’s Special Award went to Loco Ropes, an outdoor adventure park at Mountain View. Judy Cox accepted the honor.
KAIT-TV8 in Jonesboro received the Wilson Powell Media Award. Named for the longtime business manager/writer of the Batesville Guard, the award was established in 2006 to recognize outstanding media support of tourism. Reporter Keith Boles was present to accept the carved wooden plaque.
Gateway’s first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Craig Ogilvie of Batesville to honor his 50 years of service to the travel group. Ogilvie was 17 years old when he started drawing special maps for tourism brochures published in 1962-63 by the committee that became the Ozark Gateway region in 1971. He worked closely with Leo Rainey and Wilson Powell in the production of travel guides, news releases, and about a dozen television shows. He also served as a tour guide, photographer and program speaker while volunteering for Gateway.
Adam Davis and Craig Ogilvie who received the Lifetime Achievement award
Ogilvie became an advisor to the Gateway board of directors in 1975 and served as a liaison officer between the group and the Department of Parks and Tourism, which helps support a dozen regional associations in Arkansas. Ogilvie was a travel writer/illustrator for the State Tourism Division for 30 years before retiring in 2005.
Ozark Gateway’s “Partners in Tourism” were recognized for their financial support of regional tourism. The businesses include North Arkansas Electric Cooperative, FutureFuel of Batesville, First Community Bank, Areawide Media, Citizens Bank, and W.R.D. Entertainment.
Following the meal, Lauren Gray performed several songs, including a few from her appearances on the national television contest earlier this year. Congressman Crawford surprised some with his talented renditions of country classic tunes.
The beginnings of Ozark Gateway can be traced to 1961, when Leo Rainey was named to head a national pilot program to develop the rural economy in this region. The project was sponsored by the University of Arkansas Extension Service and the tourism committee started with five counties: Stone, Sharp, Independence, Fulton and Izard. Jackson, Lawrence and Randolph counties were added during the 1980s.
Out-going President Bob Pest of Locust Grove, Executive Director Cathy Drew, and new President Adam Davis of Mammoth Spring were in charge of the proceedings.
