The Henry Awards, held at the Arkansas Convention Center in Texarkana, took place during the Governor’s Banquet, attended by newly-elected governor Asa Hutchinson, along with approximately 500 of the state’s hospitality and tourism professionals.

Selected by former honorees, the Tourism Person of the Year Award is presented annually to an individual who has been actively involved in tourism and who has made a substantial contribution, within the past year, to the betterment of the tourism industry as a whole.

Keeping’s 2014 accomplishments were attributed as the basis for his selection, including, but not limited to, his duties as the president and general manager of one of the region’s largest and fastest growing gaming and entertainment destinations along with its significant economic impact in excess of $100 million in 2014, as well as his efforts to improve the community, highlighted by contributions to the growth of Mid-South Community College.

Highly honored for the recognition, Keeping was quick to share the award with those around him.

“I am so unbelievably honored to accept this award, but I must admit, I wouldn’t be able to do anything if it weren’t for the support of my wife, Maryann, my family and my team at Southland Park,” he said. “I have had some amazing experiences in my career but none of them have brought me the joy and excitement that being a part of the Arkansas tourism industry has.”

Past recipients of the award read like a “who’s who” in Arkansas tourism, including Jim Gaston (Gaston’s White River Resort in the Ozark Mountains), Shelby and Wayne Woods (CJRW – Arkansas’ largest advertising agency) and 2013’s winner, Alice Walton (Wal-Mart and developer of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville).
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About Delaware North
Delaware North is one of the largest and most admired privately-held hospitality companies in the world. Founded and owned by the Jacobs family for nearly 100 years, it is a global leader in hospitality and food service with subsidiary and affiliate operations in the sports, travel hospitality, restaurants and catering, parks, resorts, gaming and specialty retail industries. Its portfolio includes high-profile venues ranging from sports stadiums, entertainment complexes, national parks, restaurants, airports, and some of the top regional casinos in the country. The company also owns a selection of award-winning destination resorts, as well as a series of premium restaurants and catering services that are leaders in the industry. Delaware North has annual revenue of $3 billion with 60,000 employee associates serving half a billion guests in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. “Delaware North” is a reference to Delaware North Companies Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries, including location-specific operating entities. For more information, visit www.DelawareNorth.com.
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Contact:
Bobbi Jones
Director of Marketing
Southland Park Gaming & Racing
870-735-3670

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