FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PAUL W. McCALLUM RECEIVES "TALL IN TEXAS” AWARD FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO TEXAS TOURISM

(AUSTIN) September 26, 2011 - In honor of his outstanding contributions to the travel and tourism industry in Texas, Paul W. "P.W.” McCallum, CEO of the Grapevine Convention and Visitors Bureau, was presented with the Tall in Texas Award by the Texas Travel Industry Association (TTIA). McCallum received the award on September 19, 2010 in San Antonio, during the association’s annual conference, the Texas Travel Summit.

To showcase his true love for Texas and commitment to genuine hospitality, McCallum was honored with a presentation and slideshow highlighting his career in the tourism industry. The award was presented by his friend and colleague Don Bigbie, owner of Cross Timbers Winery.

McCallum has previously served as a member of the TTIA board of directors. TTIA President and CEO, David Teel, commented, "P.W. McCallum is a tireless supporter of TTIA, and is a very strong advocate for the tourism industry on a local, state and national level. We’re very proud to have P.W. as a past board member and an active member of TTIA.”

Upon receiving his award, McCallum stated that he succeeds "standing on the shoulders of his family." Members of his family were in attendance to help celebrate his award.

The Tall in Texas Award is given to an individual nominated from the membership for outstanding contributions to tourism and to TTIA. The recipient’s history of involvement with the Texas Travel Industry Association, experience, and demeanor exhibit the highest degree of professionalism, dedication and hospitality. Members of the Texas travel industry submit nominations for the award and then industry peers vote on the finalists.

McCallum has been the CEO at the Grapevine Convention and Visitors Bureau for the past 25 years. His specialty throughout his career has been in the field of developing new products and new marketing with an emphasis on historic redevelopment and site specific events.

McCallum established Grapevine's first wine festival in 1987 with three participating wineries and about 900 people in attendance. This past year the festival grossed more than $1.5 million and had an attendance of more than 264,000 people. It is now the largest wine festival in the country.

"P.W. is dedicated to everything he sets his mind to,” said Mark W. Thompson, Director of the Plano Convention & Visitors Bureau. "He has proven his dedication to TTIA through his leadership and participation on many TTIA projects as well as the Board.”

McCallum serves on the Board of Governors of the University Of North Texas School Of Hospitality Management, the Dallas/Fort Worth Area Tourism Council, the Joey Wilkins Foundation Board of Directors, the Grapevine Heritage Foundation and the Grapevine Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

He is past Chairman of the Federation of Australian Convention & Visitors Bureaus, the Texas Festivals and Events Association, the Texas Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus, Grapevine Heritage Foundation and the Dallas/Fort Worth Area Tourism Council. He served as board member of the Texas Travel Industry Association, the Northcutt Foundation, the 9/11 Flight Crew Memorial Foundation, the Chisholm Trail Round Up and the Cutting Horse Heritage Foundation. He is also past Chairman and Charter Board member of the Texas Festivals Association and a charter member of the International Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus’ Educational Foundation.

McCallum received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Texas Department of Transportation, the Gene Phillips Hospitality Award, the Don Ramey Community Award and D. E. Box Citizen of the Year award and was inducted into the Hall of Honor by the Texas Festivals and Events Association.

"P.W. has always been a well respected ambassador and promoter of tourism for both Grapevine and the great state of Texas,” said Joe Leising, Senior Vice President, DePalma Hotel Management – NHM Group, Inc. "He is, and always has been, a great example of what can be accomplished by being a leader and a team player working with private and public tourism professionals throughout Texas.”

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