Winner of the George & Pamela Wendt Industry Achievement Award Announced

Knoxville – December 10, 2018 – America Outdoors is pleased to  announce the winner of the 2018 George & Pamela Wendt Industry Achievement Award.

This esteemed award is bestowed upon individuals or organizations that have shown exceptional innovation, achievement, dedication and commitment to the field of outdoor recreation.

George Wendt was president of O.A.R.S. for 45 years. He was a visionary entrepreneur and one of the adventure travel industry’s trailblazers. George was a true pioneer in the outdoor adventure outfitting industry, and through his leadership and vision, O.A.R.S. positively affected the lives of over 500,000 travelers.

The award was presented to the 2018 winner, Jim Greiner, at the 30th Annual America Outdoors Conference in Daytona Beach, FL on December 5, 2018.

Jim Greiner started his career in recreation as the Director of Parks & Recreation for the cities of Danville & Portsmouth, VA. He co-founded Wildwater, the first outfitter in the Southeast and the first on the Chattooga River, with his wife, Jeanette, in 1971.

Jim has been instrumental in many aspects of the outdoor industry. He was a founding member of the Eastern Professional Rafting Outfitters (EPRO). He and his wife Jeanette planned, facilitated and operated the annual conferences for EPRO for eight years. Jim was the President of the EPRO Board of Directors during the merge with WRGA to form the America Outdoors Association. Jim was also involved in the campaign to have the Chattooga River added to the National Wild & Scenic Rivers Act, the first in the Southeast, in 1974. Jim served on many Tourism & Industry Boards and Organizations benefiting the industry during his career. Wildwater, still a family-run business, will celebrate its 50th Season in 2020.

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America Outdoors is the leading association of outfitters & guides.

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Contact: hwickes@americaoutdoors.org