Dripping Springs recognizes Pam Owens

DRIPPING SPRINGS — After being a pillar in the Dripping Springs community for more than 10 years, Pam Owens is set to retire at the end of this month.

Pam Owens[/caption]

On March 21, Dripping Springs City Council unanimously proclaimed March 31, to be known as “Pam Owens Day.” Owens is the president and CEO of the Dripping Springs Visitors Bureau and according to the proclamation, she “personifies the bureau’s mission to promote tourism and serve as ambassadors to connect visitors-guests and the community.”

She joined the Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce as director of tourism in 2012 and later in 2016, when the Visitors Bureau was established, she became the first president and CEO.

“Since that time, Pam has worked diligently and passionately promoting Dripping Springs to visitors from all over the state and country; including being instrumental in initiating a trademark and asking the Texas Legislature to officially designate Dripping Springs as the Wedding Capital of Texas in 2015,” the proclamation read. “She’s also a leader in the travel and tourism industry with certifications from both the Texas Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus and the Texas Travel Alliance, and she serves on the board of directors of the 19-county Texas Hill Country Trail Region as recent past president.”

“In 2012, I’m the one who worked hard along with someone else to get Pam to come work for the Chamber and Visitors Bureau for a small percentage of what she was worth,” said council member Sherrie Parks. “I’m so happy we did. It was absolutely [the] right choice. I loved working alongside her to get everything done. Pam, I am just amazed at how much you have done since I left five years ago.”

Owens developed the Destination Dripping Springs logo and website, which has become a model for other tourism organizations across the state. She has been instrumental in other projects in the community including but not limited to the following:

• Wedding Capital of Texas Showcase and Networking Group

• Dripping with Taste Wine & Food Festival

• Dripping Springs Visitors Guide

• Dripping with Taste Trail Passport

• Dripping Springs Brewers Festival

• Light Up Historic Mercer Street

• Dripping Springs Songwriters Festival

She has also served on several boards and committees such as Dripping Springs Community Foundation, Helping Hands, Phillips Cemetary Association, Texas Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus and Dripping Springs Ranch Park Board of Directors.

Owens is retiring at the end of March, but her legacy will remain in Dripping Springs.

“Thank you. It is with sadness and gladness that I am leaving. I won’t leave Dripping Springs. This has been my town for 40 years this month and I love Dripping Springs, I have loved it since day one,” Owens said at the March 21 council meeting. “It will continue to be that way.”