Refuge Manager Kris Patton and Dr. Bill Pennington take timeout for a picture with the Redbud Award.

Lt. Governor Jari Askins, Dr. Bill Pennington, Refuge Manager Kris Patton, Senator Jay Paul Gumm, and Oklahoma Tourism Director Hardy Watkins (left to right).

Tishomingo NWR Refuge Manager Kris Patton, Murray State College President Dr. Bill Pennington, and Oklahoma Senator Jay Paul Gumm were on hand for the presentation of Redbud Awards at the Governor's Conference on Tourism held on October 1, 2007. The Arbuckle-Simpson Nature Festival received a Redbud Award in the category of Best Brochure or Publication.

Tishomingo Refuge Ecology and Education Society  and Murray State College working with community leaders from throughout the Arbuckle-Simpson area organized the inaugural year festival event. The goal of the event was to showcase our natural heritage and increase public appreciation and enjoyment of our region. The Chickasaw Nation partnered with the group to assist with the award wining brochure.

"Redbud Awards represent the highest honor given in the Oklahoma tourism industry," said Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department Executive Director Hardy 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. "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."