Hammons to receive MS Society Hope Award

A familiar name in the Ozarks will be the first recipient of an award from a national medical support group's local chapter.

Springfield hotelier and developer John Q. Hammons will receive the first Hope Award from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society of the Ozarks during the Feb. 11 Dinner of Champions event at Hammons' own University Plaza Convention Center.

The national organization has been holding national and regional Dinner of Champions events since 1972, honoring some of the country's most prestigious corporate leaders and corporations, according to an organization news release. Some of the national recipients include President George H.W. Bush, Kansas City Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt, broadcasting icon Ted Turner and former U.S. Ambassador Shirley Temple Black.

Hammons is being honored for his contributions to the Springfield business community, according to the release, including "his shrewd market analysis and for creating signature-style, full-service hotels." Hammons has developed 208 hotel properties in 40 states during his 51-year career, the release said.

Scott Tarwater, John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts executive vice president, is scheduled to present the keynote address at the event. Tickets are still available.

The National MS Society funds research and provides services to people with MS, a disease that interrupts the flow of information from the brain to the body. According to the release, someone is diagnosed with the disease every hour nationwide.[[In-content Ad]]