NATCHEZ — Members of the Natchez tourism community gathered Tuesday to celebrate what the industry does for the area and to remember those who have contributed to it.

The Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce’s annual tourism awards and reception was Tuesday. The event honors those who make noteworthy achievements to the travel and tourism industry, which employs one-in-five people locally.

Nominations do not come from within the industry itself, but instead forms are distributed throughout the community and sent in to the Chamber, Chamber President Debbie Hudson said.

A noteworthy moment in Tuesday’s ceremony was the time taken to recognize those who had been nominated in the “Gone but not Forgotten” category, recognizing industry contributors who recently died. Hudson said most years have five or six recognitions, but this year the Chamber recognized 23.

“We have always counted on these people to make things happen,” Hudson said. “I think this group is a very diverse group and shows different ways people can contribute to tourism.”

Many people don’t realize that a banker who loans money to start a business, property owners and even people who help children put on their clothes for Pilgrimage performances contribute to tourism, Chamber tourism committee member Renee Adams said.

“There are so many facets of what these people (did),” Adams said. “They have all served their community honorably.

“It was a tough list this year.”

Those honored in the Gone But Not Forgotten category included Charles Laird; Jim Nutter; Bobbye Kaiser; Camille Durkin; Mary Rogers Jones; Margaret Wesley; Virginia Morrison; Mary Lou Boyles; Dax Jensen; Louise Burns; Janice Matt; Sis Stowers; Devi Nobles; Bill Slatter; Ruth Colter; Vera Callon; Judy Grimsley; Noland Biglane; George Vines; Mimi Dupre; Page Parker; Ruthadell Lovitt and Carole Ferrell.

The awards also have the goal of highlighting people still doing good work.

“The whole intent of this is to recognize tourism, the dollars put into our community,” Adams said.

“All of these people are sticking their necks out on the line, and there are millions of dollars invested in tourism in our community.”

Other awards given included:

-The Super Star award, for those who perform exceptionally in their tourism-related jobs, to Mark Brockway; Alexis Davis; Ron Fry; Qwana Carter; Janice Stewart; Bryant Pearson; Vanessa James; Mary Starr; Brenda Zerby; Eric Barbato; Ricky Woolfolk; Carrie Lambert; Greg Iles; Sarah Jones; Clarence Green; Amanda Randall; Dominique Grandson; Keyward Battiste; Weslynn Williams and Mary Williams

-Property of the Year, to King’s Tavern/Charboneau Distillery; Steampunk Espresso Bar

-Attraction of the Year, to Natchez Little Theatre; Great Mississippi River Balloon Race and Angels on the Bluff

-The Mint Julep award, given to those who have retired from the tourism industry in the last year, to Carolyn Vance Smith; Dot Clark; David Gardner and Judith Bingham

-Special Recognition awards to Natchez Historic Pageant; Downtown Karla Brown; The Natchez Brewing Company; The Renovation at The Castle; Rolling River Bistro; Natchez Bed and Breakfast Association; Road Scholar Program; Hampton Inn Renovations; Quapaw Canoe Company; Miss-Lou Tours/Redneck Adventures.