Warsaw Receives State Tourism Award

The city of Warsaw is this year’s recipient of the Innovator Award at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism Oct. 8-10 in Columbia.

The Innovator Award recognizes small Missouri tourism organizations that produce significant results on a modest budget.

Through local partnerships and a focus on the outdoors, Warsaw has worked to transform the town into a recreational destination. Warsaw’s waterfront trail system – connected to its revitalized downtown – garnered the city national recognition as one of the most bike- and pedestrian-friendly small cities in the country.

Other tourism award winners include:

Hall of Fame: Gary Figgins, publisher of Show-Me Missouri magazine
Marketing Campaign Award: Explore St. Louis
Pathfinder Award: Legends & Lanterns, St. Charles
Navigator Media Award: Jeff Houghton, The Mystery Hour television show
Rising Star Award: Melissa Mohler, director of tourism in Clay County
Hospitality Award: Greg Maxon, Greater Saint Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau
Legislative Award: David Sater, Missouri Senator for the 29th district

In addition to the awards presentation, the conference – hosted by the Missouri Division of Tourism – features educational workshops and guest speakers who address a variety of topics related to the tourism industry.

In the photo: Mac Vorce, Randy Pogue, Eddie Simons, Jessica Kendall and Ward Franz, director of the Missouri Division of Tourism.