The Bundy Award is one of the state’s top travel and tourism honors and recognizes contributions to the industry in rural South Carolina and is named for Charles A. Bundy, of Lancaster, a chairman of the former Parks, Recreation and Tourism Commission and leader in rural tourism development.

“It was a great day,” said Festival of Flowers director Kay Self, who was in Myrtle Beach to accept the award. “This is fantastic. That’s all I can say. I’m so proud. This is not just a win for the South Carolina Festival of Flowers. It’s a win for the Greenwood community.”

The 45th Governor’s Conference is at the Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes. The three-day conference, which ends today, included talks and presentations by tourism experts and the unveiling of the Palmetto State’s new slogan, “South Carolina: Made for Vacation.”

This was the first time the Festival of Flowers was nominated for the award.

Among those attending the awards luncheon Tuesday were Kelly McWhorter, executive director of Greenwood Regional Tourism and Visitors Board and Festival steering committee member; Lindsey Burns, director of sales for GRT&VB; Hope Davis, Greenwood Chamber of Commerce membership coordinator; and Angelle LaBorde, Greenwood Chamber president and CEO; Mamie Nicholson, Self Family Foundation and Festival steering committee member; and Kathryn Smith, former Festival Chairwoman and member of the steering committee.

During the luncheon, Self accepted the Bundy Award crystal vase from Chad Prosser, director of South Carolina Parks, Recreation and Tourism.

Self said she’s happy to accept the Bundy Award for everyone involved with the Festival of Flowers and the Greenwood community.

“Everyone has embraces what we’re doing,” Self said during a telephone interview from Myrtle Beach. “Everyone has embraced the changes. It really is a community award. So many people have a hand in what we’re doing.”

“I’m just a tiny part, in that, I’m the one who happens to be taking the Festival into a new direction,” Self said. “There are so many people that come to mind. If I started naming names, I’d go on forever. This is well deserved for all those folks who have worked so hard. It’s been 42 years of people working hard. There are so many people who have had a hand in keeping this alive.”

The Festival of Flowers started as an off-shoot of Park Seed’s annual flower day.

Winning the Bundy Award lifts the Festival of Flowers to a new height.

“It’s a boost,” Self said, noting the recognition and the marketing that comes with the award is almost immeasurable.

“We will be recognized by people who have never heard of us before,” she said. “People will be seeking us out. This will lead to additional visitors coming to Greenwood and spending their money here.

“I feel really good about that, especially in these tough economic times,” Self said.

The month-long festival draws tens of thousands of visitors to the Greenwood area and had an estimated economic impact of $2.3 million in 2009.

To be nominated, a 150 word or less essay must explain why the nominee should win the award. Then, in 1,000 words or less, an in-depth explanation must accompany the nomination essay. Five criteria must be covered overview, impact/results, innovation, creativity and community service.

The Festival of Flowers was nominated by Greenwood Chamber of Commerce. LaBorde submitted the nomination.

Self said she believed the creativity, marketing and community service aspects of the Festival of Flowers were two key elements in the honor.

“We do a lot of community outreach,” Self said. “We do a lot of strategic marketing with our Web site. We outreach into the schools with our topiaries. Those go a long way in making the Festival unique and setting it apart.”

Self added the Festival works with nonprofits, too.

“That’s an avenue the Festival needs to continue on,” she said. “Community service is important.”

The Festival of Flowers will be celebrating its 43rd anniversary in 2010.

“There are wonderful things happening in the community,” Self said. “The 2010 festival will include new events and exciting new additions to our topiary display. I am grateful to have played a small part in achieving this recognition for the Festival and Greenwood County.”

For information about the conference and SCPRT, visit www.scgovcon.com or www.scprt.com.

For information on the Festival of Flowers, visit www.scfestivalofflowers.org.

Joseph W. Sitarz
Managing editor
The Index-Journal
P.O. Box 1018
Greenwood, S.C. 29648
(864) 943-2529
jsitarz@indexjournal.com