The Texas Travel Industry Association (TTIA) presented its 2016 Silver Spur Award to Senator Larry Taylor at TTIA’s 26th Annual Texas Tourism Unity Dinner held on Tuesday, February 23 in Austin.
The Silver Spur is awarded to public officials who have demonstrated leadership and exemplary service to the Texas travel and tourism industry. Recent past winners include: Governor Rick Perry and First Lady Anita Perry, Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst, Senator Jane Nelson, Chairman Jim Pitts, and Speaker Joe Straus.
“Senator Larry Taylor is a great supporter of travel and tourism in Texas,” said Davis Phillips, Chair of TTIA and President and CEO of Phillips Entertainment, Inc. “He understands our industry is a job creating force and that we have a significant economic impact on our state’s economy and on the economies of communities all across Texas.”
Travel and tourism is among the largest export-oriented industries in the state, second only to oil & gas. Direct spending by travelers to and within the state surpassed $70 billion in 2014 and directly and indirectly supported jobs for more than one million Texans. In Senator Taylor’s district, visitor spending exceed $2.2 billion in 2014 and supported more than 21,000 jobs, with local tax receipts generated by this spending exceeding $76.6 million.
“Residing in an area with a thriving travel & tourism industry, Senator Taylor understands the importance of this industry, not only to Harris, Galveston & Brazoria Counties, but to the state as a whole,” said David Teel, TTIA President and CEO. “We are extremely proud to recognize Senator Taylor, Chair of the Senate Education Committee, with our Silver Spur Award for his leadership and influence on policy and legislation critical to our industry.”
Senator Larry Taylor is a lifelong Texan, born in southeast Texas and raised in Friendswood. He attended Baylor University where he received his BBA in 1982. Senator Taylor serves as the Chairman of the Senate Public Education Committee and as a member of the Senate Finance, Business and Commerce and Intergovernmental Relations Committees. Before his election to the Texas Senate in 2012, Senator Taylor served five terms in the Texas House of Representatives.
TTIA’s Unity Dinner was held at the Austin Convention Center on Tuesday, February 23, 2016. Approximately 800 travel industry professionals from across the state, state legislators, mayors, and city council members attended the 26th annual event.
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Senator Larry Taylor receives the Texas Travel Industry’s Silver Spur Award from Davis Phillips, Chair of the Texas Travel Industry Association at the 26th Annual Texas Travel Industry Unity Dinner held February 23, 2016 in Austin. Senator Taylor represents District 11 which encompasses parts of Harris County, Galveston County and Brazoria County.