EDMOND—Philadelphia Church of God festival department manager Jason Cocomise was honored on May 10 at the eighth annual Hometown Heroes event, hosted by the Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau at the city’s Top Golf sports complex.

The bureau’s president, Mike Carrier, led the reception, which was attended by about 100 individuals in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry. Eight individuals and organizations were recognized, including Cocomise for his work as the national convention manager for the PCG. Cocomise plans the Church’s fall festival for the United States, which includes approximately 2,500 people attending six sites.

Along with the other winners, Cocomise received not only recognition but a prize that was uniquely Oklahoman: a specially engraved trophy belt buckle.

Senior convention sales manager Donna Wilson, who nominated Cocomise for the award, said, “Jason Cocomise is a compassionate advocate for Oklahoma City as a meeting destination. He’s become a valued partner of the Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau, and we’re grateful to be able to assist in some of the pre-planning for the annual Philadelphia Church of God festival.”

The award is Cocomise’s first local recognition. He was previously recognized in Rejuvenate magazine, a national business-to-business trade publication for planners in the faith-based meetings industry. He was named an industry leader in the “40 Under 40” feature (August-September 2014).

“It was a great honor to represent the Church in dealing with various vendors in the OKC area and in the other states where the Feast is held,” Cocomise said. “[Shane] Granger won a similar OKC tourism award a few years back representing Armstrong Auditorium, so it is neat to see that the PCG and Armstrong Auditorium are on the map locally, and we will just continue to work to let our light shine in this great community and beyond.”

According to the convention and visitors bureau website, VisitOKC.com, the annual Hometown Heroes awards event is held during the U.S. Travel Association’s National Travel and Tourism Week and recognizes individuals and organizations that significantly boost Oklahoma City’s tourism and hospitality industry.