Visit Hot Springs is in the running for one of seven 2019 Henry Awards for its pioneering work in using virtual reality to market the Spa City.
The Henry Award winners are announced each year in February during the Arkansas Governor's Conference on Tourism. The awards are named in honor of Henri de Tonti, the man historians consider to be among the first "Arkansas Travelers," according to a news release.
Visit Hot Springs is up against Discover Siloam Springs and the Helena Advertising and Promotion Commission for the Community Tourism Development Award. The award is presented annually to a community or organization that has achieved substantial success in the enhancement of its local resources through imaginative and innovative development efforts, the release said.
According to Bill Solleder, director of marketing for Visit Hot Springs, the award specifically acknowledges two virtual reality films the convention and visitors bureau released this fall -- "Hot Springs, The Experience of a Lifetime."
The films premiered during a special reception Sept. 7 and have been available at the Visitors Center in Hill Wheatley Plaza since Sept. 10.
Both films are just a little more than three minutes long and feature sights and sounds from Oaklawn Racing and Gaming, The World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade, Lake Hamilton and Garvan Woodland Gardens, as well as other attractions throughout the Spa City.
"To receive or to be nominated for a Henry is the state's greatest honor," Solleder said. "A Henry is proof positive that the work being carried out by Visit Hot Springs and all of our partners is top notch. The Hot Springs VR project displays a forward thinking and innovative approach to marketing Arkansas' top tourist destination, Hot Springs National Park."
Visit Hot Springs has previously been nominated for and received Henry Awards.
Most recently, the organization received the Bootstrap Award, which according to the release is presented annually to an individual, organization, or community that has achieved significant success "on a shoestring," having limited means to work with, either in resources or finances.
Solleder said Visit Hot Springs received the Bootstrap Award for its promotion of the 2024 Solar Eclipse Totality event.
Local on 12/21/2018