Jackson Free Press

verbatim statement Jackson, Mississippi - The "best of the best" of Jackson's tourism industry were honored today at the Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau's 2010 Hometown Hero and SUMITT Awards ceremony at the Jackson Convention Complex.

Volunteers, employees and organizations were nominated and selected as tops in their industry by their peers, an industry that supports more than 20,876 jobs in Jackson with a $400.8 million annual payroll.

Headlining the event were the SUMITT Awards (Superlative Merit in Travel and Tourism), which recognize tourism-related businesses and organizations that have made significant achievements. These "Best of Tourism" are:

2010 Attraction of the Year-Mississippi Museum of Natural Science

2010 Festival/Event of the Year-Mississippi State Fair

2010 Friend of Tourism- Chef Nick Wallace

2010 Full Service Hotel of the Year-Jackson Marriott Downtown

2010 Limited Service Hotel of the Year-Hampton Inn North

2010 Restaurant of the Year-Bistro 200

"As tourism professionals, it is so important to recognize the efforts of our visitor industry partners," said Wanda Collier-Wilson, president and CEO of the Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Their professionalism and dedication mean travel and tourism dollars for our city, jobs for our friends and neighbors, additional sales for area businesses that rely on tourism for growth, greater tax revenue to support our community and a higher quality of life for all our citizens."

The prestigious Tourism Visionary Award was given to the Mississippi Blues Trail and Alex Thomas for highlighting Jackson's influence in Mississippi's musical heritage by unveiling nine Mississippi Blues Trail Markers in the capital city. The Mississippi Blues Trail and Alex Thomas have partnered with the Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau to successfully unveil markers recently for Cassandra Wilson, Ishmon Bracey and Ace Records, making Jackson home to the most markers on the Mississippi Blues Trail. This prestigious award shows appreciation for a tourism partner who has set outstanding standards in the industry.

"Tourism Visionaries are those individuals and organizations that see the 'big picture' of how teamwork and sharing resources can benefit our overall Tourism product," said Wilson. "These are the standards to which we Encourage all of our tourism partners to achieve." Special Shining Example Awards are given to tourism entities and individuals for outstanding contributions that enhance the quality of life in Jackson, and who serve as role models for others in the industry. Winners are:

Shining Examples

Jackson Convention Complex Grand Opening

Jackson Free Press

Hometown Hero Awards are given to individuals who have made a measurable impact on bringing tourism business to the city and those on our frontlines that make Jackson look good. Awards were presented in the following three categories:

Industry Employees

Brenda Brown-Hilton Jackson

Cheryl Simmons-Jason's Deli

Clementine Sue Davis-Courtyard by Marriott

Christopher Stewart-Piccadilly Cafeteria

Micah Allen-Jackson Convention Complex

Cathy Baker-Sophia's Restaurant

Mary Vardarman-Wendy's Restaurant

Rickey Thigpen-Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau

Meeting Planners

Tina Ladner-13th National Workshop on Adult & Juvenile Female Offenders Conference

Shirley Richardson-Mississippi Southern First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Church of God In Christ

Teresa B. Tiller-USTA Southern Mixed Doubles Championships

Patrice Young-68th Annual National Lectureship of the Churches of Christ

Event Planners

Parkway Properties-Live at Jackson Place

All of these heroes are part of an industry that brought in more than 4.1 million travelers to Jackson in 2009, pumping some $483 million into Jackson's economy.

"Hometown Hero Awards highlight the importance of individuals to the success of tourism in our Capital City," said Wilson. "These heroes are team players who help keep Jackson at the forefront of the tourism industry, who bring convention or meeting business to Jackson, and who provide outstanding hospitality to our visitors."

For more information on the Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau, hit us up at http://www.visitjackson.com or call 601-960-1891.