CVB chooses winners for tourism awards

The Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau announced four of the five winners of its Salute to Travel & Tourism awards ahead of the event’s Feb. 16 banquet.

The announced honors are the Hospitality, Spotlight, Diplomat and Ambassador awards. The CVB’s top honor, the Pinnacle Award, will be revealed at the ceremony at the Ramada Plaza Hotel & Oasis Convention Center, according to a news release.

Downtown Springfield’s Hotel Vandivort was selected to receive the Hospitality Award, honoring attractions, lodging facilities or restaurants that are known for their hospitality and promotion of the area’s travel and tourism industry.

The CVB selected the Price Cutter Charity Championship for its Spotlight Award. The recognition honors individuals, businesses or organizations that aren’t normally part of the tourism industry but have contributed to it, according to the release.

Receiving the Diplomat Award will be Dan Lennon, director of the Missouri Division of Tourism. The award goes to government officials, organizations or employees who support the Springfield-area travel industry.

The Missouri chapter of Future Business Leaders of America was chosen to receive the CVB’s Ambassador Award, given to individuals or organizations that generate an economic impact for the area by encouraging tourism or securing a major convention or event in Springfield, according to the release.

Last year’s Pinnacle Award went to Springfield hotelier Greg Walker.

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