2010 Alabama Governor’s Conference on Tourism Awards

Montgomery, Ala. — The U.S. Space & Rocket Center’s “Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination” exhibit has been named the 2010 Alabama Event of the Year by the Alabama Tourism Department. The award was presented at a black-tie ceremony on Tuesday, August 17, at the Renaissance Hotel and Spa in Montgomery.

The exhibit debuted at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center June 25 and runs through September 6. It features more than 80 props and costumes from all six Star Wars movies. More than 60,000 people have visited since the opening of the exhibit and it broke even financially within the first 10 days.

Space & Rocket Center CEO Larry Capps said that on July 17, more than 4,185 people visited the Space & Rocket Center, making it the highest attendance in the center’s 41 year history. Capps also said that advance tickets have been sold to tourists in 43 states.

“It is a great honor for the Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination exhibit to be named the event of the year. We are proud to have made an impact in bringing tourists from all over the Southeast to our great state,” said Capps. “We will continue to reach to tourists to return to Alabama as we bring Narnia, CSI, Sue the T-Rex and Be the Dinosaur to the Space & Rocket Center this upcoming year.”

Criteria for Event of the Year include outstanding performance, outstanding economic impact statistics, quality and effectiveness of marketing efforts, additions and/or improvements designed to increase appeal to tourists, increased attendance, and the enhancement of local, regional or state image as a tourist destination.

The Event of the Year award is among 14 for 2010 that comprise the Alabama Tourism Awards. The awards were first presented in 1998 and honor outstanding achievements in the state’s tourism industry. Each award winner is recognized as a key player in making tourism a strong economic force. Tourism contributed $9.3 billion to Alabama’s economy in 2008; supported 162,000 jobs statewide and an estimated 21 million people visited the state last year.

The Alabama Tourism Department coordinates the awards program. The 14 winners are as follows:

• Lifetime Achievement Award­—Dr. David Bronner, CEO Retirement Systems of Alabama * Presented Monday, August 16.
• Government Advocate Award—Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange
• Media Advocate Award—Lynn and Milton Fullman
• Governor’s Tourism Award—James W. Rane Sr., CEO Great Southern Wood, Abbeville
• Organization of the Year—Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism
• Attraction of the Year—Alabama Music Hall of Fame, Tuscumbia
• Event of the Year—Star Wars exhibit at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville
• Tourism Executive of the Year—Patti Culp, Alabama Travel Council
• Tourism Employee of the Year—Angie Pierce, Alabama Mountain Lakes Association
• Alabama Tourism Department Employee of the Year—Cynthia Flowers
• Partnership Award—Elmore County Economic Development Authority
• Welcome Center of the Year—Grand Bay
• Theme Campaign— City of Valley & Cotton Mill Reunion
• Rising Star Award—Christine Elmore, Dothan Convention and Visitors Bureau

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Edith Parten
Communication Director/Gulf Coast Regional Director
Alabama Tourism Department
334.242.4537
edith.parten@tourism.alabama.gov
http://www.alabama.travel

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