Ticket sales are underway for the Salute to Travel & Tourism awards set to begin with a reception at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. Feb. 16 at the White River Conference Center on the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World campus.

Tickets are $50 per person for open seating or $375 for a reserved table for eight. They can be purchased online at http://banquet.springfieldmo.org or call 417-881-5300. The RSVP deadline is Feb. 10.

Awards are presented in five categories with the top award – The Pinnacle Award – a secret until the night of the event. The Pinnacle Award is presented to individuals who have been active in the travel industry for many years and have made substantial contributions to the betterment of the Springfield area’s travel industry.

Other awards to be presented this year are:

Ambassador Award: Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Foundation. The Ambassador Award is presented to individuals or organizations that generated significant economic impact for the area by working to encourage tourism or secure a major convention or event in Springfield.

Hospitality Award: O’Reilly Hospitality Management, LLC. The Hospitality Award is presented to an attraction, lodging facility or restaurant which demonstrates outstanding hospitality to the traveling public and exhibits a team spirit in promoting growth of Springfield area travel and tourism.

Spotlight Award: “417 Magazine.” The Spotlight Award is presented to an individual, business or organization not usually considered part of the travel and tourism industry for noteworthy contributions in advancing travel and tourism in the Springfield area.

Diplomat Award: Missouri Division of Tourism. The Diplomat Award is presented to a government official, organization or employee who has provided significant support to the Springfield area travel industry.

John & Mary Williams Volunteer of the Year Award: Don Bechtel. The Volunteer of the Year Award is presented to a CVB volunteer nominated and selected by his or her peers for outstanding service to the CVB.

The bureau also will present 20-Year Service awards to volunteers who have served the CVB for 20 years. They are: Flora Clark, Russell Sanders and Barbara Haun.

The CVB extends its gratitude to the following sponsors of the banquet:

Platinum Level: Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World; Gold Level: Doubletree Hotel Springfield, Elliott Lodging, Kingery Printing Co. and Ramada Oasis Hotel & Convention Center; Silver Level: Central High School Media/Central Intelligence, Gerry Averett Photography, Learfield Communications, OTC Print Shop and SR Graphics; Bronze Level: 7C’s Winery & Vineyard, Baum’s Promotional Products, OOVVDA Winery and University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For information, call 417-881-5300.