STATE INDUCTS MUZZY IN TOURISM HALL OF FAME

JEFFERSON CITY -- Lyn Muzzy, director of the Cape Girardeau Convention & Visitors Bureau, was installed this week in the Missouri Division of Tourism's Hall of Fame.

Muzzy, who has been involved in Missouri tourism a number of years, received his state honor during this week's Governor's Conference on Tourism, being held at Jefferson City.

"The Hall of Fame award is presented to individuals who have been active in tourism for many years, and who have made substantial contributions for the betterment of the industry as a whole," said Marjorie Beenders, who announced the award Wednesday night.

"Being inducted into the tourism Hall of Fame is the highest honor that a person involved in tourism can hope to achieve," said Beenders, director of the Missouri Division of Tourism. "This year, we received more than 100 nominations for the award. Muzzy, who has been involved in every aspect of tourism over the past few years, was nominated by several of his peers from across the state.

"Muzzy is committed to his work," she added. "He not only promotes Cape Girardeau and the River Heritage Area, but he supports all of our Missouri Wake-Up promotions. I am personally pleased to have this opportunity to induct him into the Hall of Fame."

Muzzy, who has served in his position at Cape Girardeau since September of 1987, was overwhelmed with the honor.

"I'm seldom at a loss for words," he said. "But, Wednesday night I was speechless. I had no idea I was being considered for the award. I just do my job."

Muzzy, who travels from 30,000 to 40,000 miles a year, said 1991 has been a great year for travel and tourism in the Cape Girardeau area.

In his recent report to the Cape Girardeau City Council, Muzzy said the local CVB had exceeded all expectations for 1991, adding that the total economic impact for conventions, meetings, and group tours serviced by the CVB in Cape Girardeau is about $6.8 million.

Muzzy came to the Cape Girardeau CVB from the Convention and Visitor's Bureau at Springfield as well as the Fountain Head Lodge and Convention Center in Branson. He was director of sales for both organizations for more than five years.

He is active with the National Tour Association, American Bus Association, Ontario Motorcoach Association, American Society of Association Executives and Midwest Travel Writers.

Muzzy's award was one of eight which was presented during the conference.

Two other recipients were from the River Heritage area of Southeast Missouri. Thomas Tucker of the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning Association in Perryville, received the Missouri Spotlight Award, and Fran Ballinger, of the Great River Road Interpretive Center in Ste. Genevieve, received the Missouri Wake-Up Award.

The Spotlight award goes to an individual or organization which is not usually considered as a part of the travel industry for noteworthy contributions for promotion of Missouri tourism. The Wake-Up goes to the person or group that has support the state's wake-up Missouri tourism program.