Davis Phillips Receives 2024 Tall in Texas Award for Contributions to Texas Travel Industry

Austin, TX - October 24, 2024 – The Texas Travel Alliance (TTA) is proud to announce that Davis Phillips, President and CEO of Phillips Entertainment, Inc., has been honored with the Tall in Texas Award at the 2024 Texas Travel Summit Awards Gala. This prestigious award recognizes Davis’s outstanding contributions to the travel, tourism, and entertainment industries in Texas.

Davis Phillips has been a driving force in the Texas tourism industry, leading Phillips Entertainment, Inc. to operate a variety of successful attractions in San Antonio, including Ripley’s Haunted Adventure, Guinness World Records Museum, Tomb Rider 3D Adventure Ride and Arcade, and two Extreme Escape locations. His company also manages the Amazing Mirror Maze and Laser Challenge, the Buckhorn Saloon and Texas Ranger Museum, and the popular Be Kind & Rewind immersive bar experience.

Davis Phillips, pictured with Erika Boyd, President & CEO, Texas Travel Alliance and Bob Phillips, received the Tall in Texas Award at the 39th Annual Texas Travel Summit held October 14-16, 2024, in Houston, TX.

“Davis Phillips embodies the passion, integrity, and devotion to the industry that the Tall in Texas Award celebrates,” said Erika Boyd, President & CEO of the Texas Travel Alliance. “His leadership and vision have significantly enhanced the tourism landscape in San Antonio and beyond. We are thrilled to honor his remarkable achievements and contributions to our industry.”

Growing up in the Texas travel and tourism industry, Davis was inspired by his grandfather, Gene Phillips, and his father, Bill Phillips. He began his career at the age of 11, working at the Wax Museum of the Southwest in Grand Prairie, Texas. Over the years, Davis has held various roles, including General Manager of Ripley’s Believe It or Not and Wax Museum, and later, the original Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum in St. Augustine, Florida.

Since founding Phillips Entertainment, Inc. in 2001, Davis has grown the company from one business with 20 employees to six businesses in five locations with 150 employees. His contributions to the industry include forming the first-ever Attractions Committee in San Antonio, serving on the board of directors of the San Antonio Visitor Alliance (SAVA), and holding leadership roles in various tourism organizations, including the board of directors for the Texas Travel Alliance.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Davis is actively involved in his community and industry. He has served on numerous boards and committees, including the San Antonio Hotel and Lodging Association, the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Commission, and the former Governor’s Tourism Advisory Committee. Under his leadership, Phillips Entertainment was awarded the Heritage Award by the Texas Travel Alliance in 2021.

TTA’s Annual Texas Travel Summit was held in Houston, October 14-16, 2024. Around 350 Travel Industry professionals from across the state attended the 39th annual conference.

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The Texas Travel Alliance is the voice of the travel and tourism industry in Texas. We advocate for policies that help our industry grow and thrive. We provide professional development opportunities to elevate our industry’s leaders. And we create connections that will help our members flourish and succeed. For more information about the Texas Travel Alliance: www.texastravelalliance.org.