CVB announces travel, tourism award winners

The Herschend Family, which owns Silver Dollar City, received the Pinnacle Award at the second annual Salute to Travel & Tourism Banquet, which was held April 26.

According to a news release from the Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Pinnacle Award is the highest award presented by the organization, and it is given to honor individuals who have been active in the Springfield area travel industry for several years and have made substantial contributions to the betterment of the travel industry.

The Spotlight Award, which honors an individual, business or organization not typically considered part of the travel and tourism industry for "noteworthy contributions in advancing travel and tourism in the Springfield area," was given to three individuals.

Spotlight Award recipients were Ben Parnell, a retired banker whose foresight opened the door for the Herschend Family by financing Marvel Cave and Silver Dollar City; Cheryl Burnett, women's basketball coach at Southwest Missouri State University; and Jackie Stiles, Lady Bears basketball standout, "for the tremendous amount of positive attention they have drawn to the Springfield area."

The Diplomat Award was presented to Sen. Roseann Bentley. That award recognizes government officials, organizations or employees that provide significant support to the Springfield area travel industry.

Bentley is a member of the Missouri Tourism Commission, and she was instrumental in securing funding for Wonders of Wildlife, the American National Fish and Wildlife Museum, among other tourism-related achievements.

The Hospitality Award was presented to Fantastic Caverns for its efforts to preserve the caverns and make them a valuable tourism experience.

Ambassador Awards for businesses and organizations that worked to encourage tourism or secured major conventions and events for Springfield, were presented to the following individuals and organizations: Jerald Andrews, Bob Cumley, Don Thomson, John Whittington, Springfield Tennis Association, Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, Missouri Department of Conservation-Springfield office and Ozarks Technical Community College.