SATW Presents Four Phoenix Awards

Recipients Represent Wide Range of Destinations and Attractions that have "Risen from the A

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. October 14, 2008

MANCHESTER, UK, November 13, 2007. Before a convention delegation of more than 500 travel professionals, the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) presented four distinctive nominees with its coveted Phoenix Awards. The awards serve to recognize those travel destinations, attractions, accommodations and amenities that have successfully concluded or are continuing to manage a significant preservation, conservation or restoration project.

Qualifying projects, programs or individuals are nominated by SATW members and reviewed and recommended to the SATW Board of Directors by an award committee. The board makes the final decision. This year, there were 10 nominees.

At a special awards luncheon at the Manchester Central Convention Center, Phoenix Awards Committee Chair Peggy Bendel announced the four successful nominees:

---| Deadwood, South Dakota - more than $200 million has been dedicated to the preservation and restoration of this more than a century-old gold mining town. Limited-stakes gaming has generated funds that have helped create more than 2,400 new jobs and restored much of its infrastructure. Nominated by Tom Adkinson and Bob Willis.

---| Martin House, Buffalo, New York - this Frank Lloyd Wright designed complex was owned by one of Wright`s best clients and is part of the Frederick Law Olmsted-designed Parkside East Historic District. This timely restoration of what Wright himself called his "opus" has spurred additional Buffalo restoration and revived Buffalo`s legacy of noteworthy architecture. Nominated by Deborah Williams.

---| The Pennsylvania Wilds - this regional ecotourism and economic development initiative focuses on 12 northern Pennsylvania counties comprising six million acres, including 2.1 million acres of public lands. Already, the initiative has established a Elk Scenic Drive, Main Street beautifications, an expanded Rail-Trail and river bank clean-ups. This has been a very strong public-private partnership. Nominated by Ed Wetschler.

---| White River State Park, Indianapolis, Indiana - stretching 250 acres around the White River, Indiana`s only urban park has now linked the Indianapolis Zoo, White River Gardens, Indiana State Museum, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, NCAA Hall of Champions, Victory Fields and the Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial with bike and walking trails and a canoe route. Nominated by Jackie Sheckler Finch.

"Each of these worthy awardees represents years of commitment and vision on the part of many partners," noted SATW President Laura Daily. "SATW is pleased to recognize these impressive accomplishments that strengthen the tourism industry, which in turn improves the quality of life and adds to enjoyment for all of us."

With some 1,200 members, the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) is a non-profit professional association that works to promote responsible travel journalism and to provide professional support for its members, including travel journalists, photographers, editors, electronic media, film lecturers, television and film producers, and public relations representatives from the travel industry. For details on SATW, log onto www.satw.org

SATW held its 2007 International Convention & Media Marketplace in Manchester, England, October 4-10; the 2008 Convention will be held in Houston, TX October 18-22, 2008.