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Tourism & Business Awards Honor Outstanding Supporters of Tunica

TUNICA, Mississippi (May 16, 2007) — The Tunica Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) joined the Tunica County Chamber in presenting the 2007 Tourism and Business Awards at Sam’s Town Casino Tunica.  The luncheon publicly honored area individuals and organizations for the vital role each has played in the establishment and promotion of the Tunica tourism industry.

"These honorees contribute their time, their businesses, their professional experience, and their financial resources to what we now call ‘The Tunica Miracle’,” said Webster Franklin, President and CEO of the CVB.  “It is a wonderful thing to have everyone working together to make Tunica a resort destination.”

More than 300 people, including public officials from across the state, attended the event.  

“The award luncheon and awards ceremony recognizes those who have performed above and beyond the call of duty in their contribution to the success of Tunica,” stated Lyn Arnold, the President and CEO for the Tunica Chamber of Commerce.

The highest honor given at the ceremony is to be inducted into the Tunica Tourism Hall of Fame.  Hall of Fame membership is presented to individuals who have been actively involved for many years in tourism and who have made a substantial contribution to the betterment of tourism and Tunica County.  This year, this award was presented to the Mississippi Department of Transportation. 

“The Mississippi Department of Transportation officials have made it possible for this area to grow from a small agricultural community to one of the fastest growing gaming destinations in the U.S.,” said Webster Franklin.  “The Tunica County and Mississippi Department of Transportation partnership has resulted in the four-laning of Highway 61 and building Interstate 69 that connects Memphis to Tunica with an all interstate access route.”

Seven individuals or organizations were presented with a crystal tower trophy to commemorate the growth and benefits of gaming and tourism to Tunica.

The owners of the Tunica Queen, received the Chairman’s Award.  Given annually by the Chairman of the Tunica County Tourism Commission, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Barton and Mr. and Mrs. Richy Bibb were recognized for keeping the Tunica Queen riverboat attraction in Tunica.

“Without notice, after only being in Tunica one year, the company that owned the Tunica Queen decided to leave Tunica in 2005 with no intention of returning,” said Chairman Penn Owen, Jr.  “With vision and the hope of success, the Barton and Bibb families chose to bring a new Tunica Queen to Tunica, and their investment has given visitors to our area a very enjoyable way to see the Mississippi River.” 

The Southern Hospitality Award is presented to an individual for exceptional service to the hundreds of tourists that the person comes in contact with on a daily basis. The Southern Hospitality award was presented to Neil Block. 

“Every time Neil Block sees someone he doesn’t know, he introduces himself and welcomes everyone to Tunica,” Franklin said.  “It’s his type of southern hospitality that makes our destination unique, and Mr. Block is very deserving of this award.”

The Volunteer Service Award was presented to Rodney Hibbler, who through his outstanding volunteer spirit, continually helps people in the Tunica community through his mission work.

“Mr. Hibbler has been working for more than 15 years bringing in mission groups to Tunica County that have been rehabbing and rebuilding an average of 75 homes a year to help those in need in our area,” Franklin said.  “It is through his volunteer work that hundreds of families in Tunica County are able to have nicer, safer homes.”

The Heritage Awards is given to an individual who has made a significant contribution toward the preservation of Tunica County’s natural, cultural, and aesthetic legacy.  This year the award was given to the John Dulaney.  Life-long Tunica resident, attorney, and writer, John Dulaney, who has been a part of Tunica's heritage and history his entire life, published a book called Tunica County—Scraps of History to tell the history of Tunica County through his eyes.  

“The book Mr. Dulaney published will forever keep history alive for future generations to read about the first settlements of Tunica County to the arrival of the gaming industry that helped Tunica County become what it is today,” Franklin said.

The Jeff Piselli Media Support Award was awarded to David Grisham, the editor of Jackpot Magazine northern edition. For the last four years, he has written thousands of stories promoting Tunica.  This award, given to a person or individual who has been instrumental in presenting Tunica to the public, is given in honor of Jeff Piselli who died in 2003. Piselli was the first Public Information Officer for Tunica County. Piselli set the standard for public relations, and with the award we are able to honor those that follow in his footsteps.

“Mr. Grisham’s work keeps visitors in Tunica longer because they are informed on everything to see and do here,” Franklin said.  “We are thankful that he promotes Tunica to help the tourism industry.”

For the forth year, the Tunica County Chamber of Commerce presented two awards to area businesses.  The Large Business of the Year (more than 100 employees) and Small Business of the Year (less than 100 employees) are awarded to businesses who actively participate in and support community efforts along with promoting tourism in Tunica County.

Harrah’s Entertainment received the Large Business of the Year Award for their dedication to the community, their guests, and their employees, employing 5,800 people in Tunica at their corporate headquarters and their three casino properties: Grand, Horseshoe, and Sheraton.  They also contributed more than one million dollars to Mid-South charities last year.

Parker Tractor Supply company received the Small Business of the Year Award for their dedication to the community and economy.  Mr. Dutch Parker states that he owes his success to good farmers and good employees.

“We are pleased to honor Harrah’s Entertainment and Parker Tractor Supply for their commitment to Tunica County,” Lyn Arnold, president and CEO of the Tunica County Chamber of Commerce said.  “These two businesses are very deserving of the Business of the Year awards.”

There were also special awards given to the Tunica Convention & Visitors Bureau employees who have been with the bureau for 10 years, since the bureau was founded.  Bill Canter, Anne Coggins, and Stacey Bland were given plaques for their dedication to promoting tourism in Tunica.

Tunica, an area where cotton, rice, soybean fields and catfish ponds still thrive, is “The South’s Casino Capital.”  Located 30 minutes south of Memphis, Tunica welcomes more than 15 million visitors annually to its nine world-class casino resorts, with more than 6,300 hotel rooms, over 40 restaurants, championship golf, outdoor recreation, museums, outlet and antique shopping, and much more. For travel information, please visit the Tunica website at www.tunicamiss.com, or call Tunica at 1-888-4TUNICA.