Highway 36 Heritage Alliance wins Innovator Award at annual tourism conference in Kansas City

HANNIBAL, Mo. — An event that draws motorcyclists from all across the country, a Missouri writer who shines a spotlight on genuine Ozark stories, and a group of destination marketing organizations that teamed up to increase visitation to small towns along Highway 36 were among the award winners at the annual Missouri Governor’s Conference on Tourism from Oct. 15-17 in Kansas City.

The conference’s goal is to recognize individuals and organizations for their efforts to boost tourism in the Show-Me State.

The Highway 36 Heritage Alliance was the recipient of the Innovator Award, one of 10 awards presented at the conference. The Innovator Award honors a small tourism organization or individual who achieves significant results on a modest budget.

The Highway 36 Heritage Alliance is an organization comprised of small towns along Highway 36 working together to promote their destinations to travelers. Together, they have formed the “Way of American Genius,” a road trip that highlights some of Missouri’s most famous citizens and notable innovators.

In a press release, Trisha O’Cheltree, executive director of the Hannibal Convention and Visitors Bureau, said, “Hannibal is proud to be a founding member of the Highway 36 Heritage Alliance. We are honored to receive this award. Our Highway 36 team has worked tirelessly to create unique and engaging experiences that highlight the historical and cultural treasures along Highway 36. This recognition is a testament to our commitment to preserving Missouri’s heritage and promoting tourism in our region.”