Developer Lee McLean takes CVB Pinnacle Award

And what a gala it was!

Entertainment included Dancing with the Springfield Stars, in which professional dance instructors and local celebrities demonstrated their ballroom dancing talents. With everything from a hot tango to a hilarious swing dance featuring “Elvis” (played by chamber President Jim Anderson), the crowd was wowed by the evening.

The event was more than entertaining. It also was a fundraiser for the Springfield Regional Arts Council. The arts council presented its Ozzie awards and CVB presented its travel and tourism awards.

Travel and tourism honorees:

• Developer Lee McLean received The Pinnacle Award, which goes to those who have been active in the travel industry for many years and who have made substantial contributions to the betterment of the Springfield area’s travel industry. McLean has built hotels in Springfield and played a major role in business and infrastructure development in the city.

• Karl Plumpe, associate general manager of economic development for City Utilities, received the Spotlight Award, which recognizes an individual, business or organization that is not usually considered part of the travel and tourism industry for noteworthy contributions. Plumpe played an instrumental role in bringing the Wally Byam Caravan Club to Springfield in 2005.

• Springfield Mayor Tom Carlson received the Diplomat Award, which goes to a government official, organization or employee who has provided significant support to the Springfield area’s travel industry. Carlson is a staunch supporter of the industry, including his support of the half-cent lodging tax increase approved by voters in 2005.

• The Springfield Cardinals received the Hospitality Award, which goes to an attraction, lodging facility or restaurant that demonstrates outstanding hospitality to the traveling public and exhibits team spirit in promoting the growth of Springfield area travel and tourism. The Cardinals have brought hundreds of baseball fans to Springfield and raised awareness of Springfield as a travel destination.

• Dallas Photopulos, who played a role in bringing the Wally Byam Caravan Club to Springfield, and Allen Wilson, who brings thousands of people to Springfield annually through amateur sporting events, received Ambassador Awards.

The 2006 Ozzie Awards presented by the arts council went to the First Friday Art Walk and Randy Stewart, host of Art News on KSMU. A special award was given to Tom Finnie, former city manager, for his role in securing a building in Jordan Valley Park for the Creamery Arts Center. A Legacy Award, given posthumously, was presented to the family of Beatrice Allen Reynolds for Reynolds’ service to the arts, particularly to the Springfield Little Theatre.

A huge thank you is extended to the event’s sponsors: Springfield 33; Oasis Inn Hotel & Convention Center; Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World; Butler, Rosenbury & Partners; ColorGraphic Printing; Elliott Lodging; John Q. Hammons Hotels; Pythian Castle; Sonshine Performing Arts Academy Royal Ballroom; Bass Lithocolor; Baum’s Promotional Products & More; Candy House Gourmet Chocolates; Gerry Averett Photography; A Graphic Resource; Horst-Tymon; Missouri Meetings & Events Magazine; R & S Floral; Shoe Cents; and Show-Me Missouri Magazine.

The dancers also deserve a thank you for donating many hours to the fund-raiser and a congratulations on their excellent performances. They are: Kristi Capel, Miss Missouri and a member of the KSPR news team, with instructor Andy Walls of Sonshine Performing Arts Academy Royal Ballroom; Mary Norman, a member of the Springfield Regional Arts Council Board of Directors and the Springfield R-XII School Board, with instructor Don McCarty, owner of Sonshine Performing Arts Academy Royal Ballroom; Comedian Yakov Smirnoff with instructor Marie Edgar of Sonshine Performing Arts Academy Royal Ballroom; Kimberly Laburda, a Springfield 33 morning news anchor with instructor Johnny Lambert of Pythian Castle; and Jim Anderson, president of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, with instructor Tamara Finocchiaro of Pythian Castle.

Susan Wade is the public relations manager with the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau. She can be reached at swade@springfieldmo.org.