Arkansas Tourism announced the winners of the 2025 Henry Awards during a special banquet at the 51st annual Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Bentonville on Feb. 25. These prestigious awards recognize the individuals, organizations and attractions that have made a lasting impact on the state’s tourism industry.
Named after Henri de Tonti, founder of Arkansas Post in 1686 and often considered the first “Arkansas Traveler,” the Henry Awards celebrate those who drive tourism forward, enhancing Arkansas’ reputation as a top destination to visit.
The 2025 Henry Award recipients are:
Tourism Person of the Year: Jack Moyer
Dalaney Thomas, Arkansas Tourism Director; Jack Moyer, Tourism Person of the Year; Sec. Shea Lewis, Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism
Selected by former honorees, the Tourism Person of the Year award is presented to an individual who is actively involved in tourism and has made a substantial contribution within the past year to the betterment of the tourism industry. Moyer has played a pivotal role in shaping the hospitality and tourism landscape of Eureka Springs and beyond. Through strategic partnerships, community engagement and dedication to hospitality excellence, Moyer continues to help elevate Eureka Springs’ reputation as a premier travel destination, reinforcing Arkansas’ position as a top choice for visitors.
Tourism Attraction of the Year: Peel Compton Foundation – Coler Mountain Bike Preserve (Bentonville)
Dalaney Thomas, Arkansas Tourism Director; Peel Compton Foundation members, Tourism Attraction of the Year; Sec. Shea Lewis, Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism
The Tourism Attraction of the Year award recognizes the contribution of local attractions in drawing visitors, delivering excellence in customer service and enhancing the profile of the area. Peel Compton Foundation draws visitors from across the country and showcases Arkansas as a premier outdoor destination through Coler Mountain Bike Preserve, which balances natural preservation with accessibility, creating an outdoor recreation hub in Northwest Arkansas. With 500 acres of pristine landscape and thoughtful design that integrates seamlessly with the environment, Coler offers world-class biking, camping and community experiences.
Individual Innovation in Tourism: Bobby Finster – Rural Innovation Group (Batesville)
Sec. Shea Lewis, Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism; Bobby Finster, Individual Innovation in Tourism; Dalaney Thomas, Arkansas Tourism Director
The Individual Innovation in Tourism award is presented to an individual who has created or spearheaded an innovative project that breaks the traditional tourism mold and/or highlights effective public/private partnership. Finster’s work with the Rural Innovation Group has revolutionized outdoor tourism in rural Arkansas through the development of the White River Gravel Trail and innovative cycling events like the Cave City Melon Grind, the Burt Reynolds Ride and the Sandtown Shuffle. His efforts bring new visitors to the Batesville area, blending adventure tourism with cultural heritage and driving local economic growth.
The Natural State Tourism Development Award: Moon Over Main (Russellville)
Sec. Shea Lewis, Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism; Moon Over Main – Russellville members, The Natural State Tourism Development Award; Dalaney Thomas, Arkansas Tourism Director
The Natural State Tourism Development Award is presented to a community, organization, special event or attraction for an innovative project that “stands out from the crowd” because of its unique appeal or creative approach that increases community pride and placemaking. The Moon Over Main multi-day event brought more than 46,000 visitors from across the U.S. and 45 countries to Russellville to celebrate the 2024 solar eclipse. Featuring NASA exhibits, live eclipse updates, live music, merchandise giveaways and family-friendly activities, the event highlighted the city’s creativity and showcased its community pride through partnerships between businesses and organizations.
Tourism Organization of the Year: Visit Hot Springs
Dalaney Thomas, Arkansas Tourism Director; Visit Hot Springs members, Tourism Organization of the Year; Sec. Shea Lewis, Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism
The Tourism Organization of the Year is presented to a convention and visitors bureau, advertising and promotion commission, chamber of commerce or other entity for excellence over the course of the previous year. Visit Hot Springs delivered an extraordinary experience for the 2024 Great American Eclipse, drawing tens of thousands of visitors and making a significant economic impact. Following the 2017 eclipse, Visit Hot Springs launched a strategic campaign positioning the city as a top destination for 2024. Efforts included a social media “save the date,” a micro-website, a souvenir poster series by an Arkansas artist and a targeted marketing push.
Tourism Hall of Fame Inductees: Joe DeVito and Alice Walton
Sec. Shea Lewis, Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism; Alice Walton, Hall of Fame inductee; Joe DeVito, Hall of Fame Inductee; Dalaney Thomas, Arkansas Tourism Director
Each year, the Tourism Hall of Fame recognizes individuals whose long-standing contributions have shaped Arkansas tourism. These honorees have demonstrated leadership, innovation, and dedication to making Arkansas a premier travel destination.
“The 2025 Henry Award winners represent the best of Arkansas tourism – visionaries, innovators and champions of The Natural State,” Shea Lewis, secretary of Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, said. “Their work inspires visitors, strengthens communities and fuels the industry’s continued success.”
The Henry Awards are a highlight of the Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism, an annual gathering of industry professionals committed to growing tourism and elevating Arkansas’ place on the travel map.
