Oklahoma Tourism Entities Recognized with
2007 RedBud Awards 

 (Tulsa, Okla.) – A record number of Oklahoma’s tourism professionals gathered to honor fellow tourism industry leaders with RedBud Awards in 16 categories at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism.  Lt. Gov. Jari Askins and Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department Executive Director Hardy Watkins were on hand to announce the winners during a special gala held on Oct. 1, 2007 at the Renaissance Hotel in Tulsa. 

            "RedBud Awards represent the highest honor given in the Oklahoma tourism industry," said Watkins. "This year, we received 95 entries on behalf of tourism efforts from all across our state."

            Entries are evaluated by out-of-state judges based on criteria including customer service, marketing effectiveness, media relations, variety of audiences reached, value, and overall creativity. The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department partners with the Oklahoma Travel Industry Association to present the annual RedBud Awards.

            “It was an exciting evening recognizing the efforts of our industry, and a great celebration of tourism during our Centennial year,” said Watkins. “There is no better way to showcase the diversity of travel opportunities in Oklahoma than by honoring the best each year and bestowing them with this award.”

            While convened at the Governor's Conference on Tourism, attendees spent two days learning about the latest travel trends, media technology and more.

            A full list of 2007 RedBud Award winners is listed below. For more information about Oklahoma’s travel and tourism industry, visit www.TravelOK.com or www.OTIA.info.

Outstanding Agritourism Attraction
RedBud Award: Cast Iron Kettle Cookout
Merit Award: Tiger Mountain Ranch

Outstanding Tourism Professional of the Year
RedBud Award:  Marci Donaho, Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum

Judges’ Special Vision Award
Scott Pace, Little Dixie Community Action Agency

Outstanding Centennial Project
RedBud Award:  Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce – Diamond Daze
Merit Award:  Duncan: Celebrating Our State

Tourism Organization of the Year
RedBud Award:  Shawnee Convention and Visitors Bureau
Merit Award:  Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau

Best Brochure or Publication
RedBud Award: (tie) Sam Noble Museum of Natural History and the Arbuckle – Simpson Nature Festival
Merit Award: Bartlesville Convention and Visitors Bureau

Best Overall Marketing Campaign
RedBud Award:  Oklahoma Heritage Center
Merit Award: (tie)  Red Earth Festival and Oklahoma City National Memorial

Best Web Site
RedBud Award:  Oklahoma Heritage Center
Merit Award:  www.sonarta.org

Best Sponsorship/Partnership
RedBud Award:  Great Plains Country and the Lawton Convention and Visitors Bureau
Merit Award:  Ardmore Chamber of Commerce and Goddard Center

Outstanding Attraction
RedBud Award:  Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum
Merit Award:  Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum

Outstanding New Attraction
RedBud Award:  Oklahoma Heritage Center
Merit Award:  Mangum’s Artists Alley

Outstanding Temporary Exhibit
RedBud Award:  Oklahoma City National Memorial
Merit Award:  Oklahoma City Museum of Art

Outstanding Event
RedBud Award:  National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum
Merit Award:  Red Earth Festival

Outstanding New Event
RedBud Award:  (tie) Trail Dance Film Festival and Grand Wine Country
Merit Award:  Red Fern Festival

Outstanding Travel Journalist
RedBud Award:  Chelsey Simpson
Merit Award:  Elaine Warner

Outstanding Feature Story - Print
RedBud Award:  Denise Gamino – Austin American Statesman
Merit Award:  Chelsey Simpson – Oklahoma Living

Outstanding Feature Story - Radio
RedBud Award:  Richard Fleming – BBC London

Outstanding Feature Story - Television
RedBud Award:  Rogers State University Public Television