The Fort Worth Chamber announced on Wednesday that Trail Drive Management will be the latest recipient of the 2023 Vandergriff Award.
Trail Drive Management Corp. (TDMC) is a non-profit organization in charge of the management and operation of Dickies Arena.
TMDC and the arena’s many amenities are credited with enriching “the cultural vibrancy and economic growth of the region,” the Fort Worth Chamber said in a press release.
The Vandergriff Award is given by the Fort Worth Chamber in memory of Tom Vandergriff, a Tarrant County judge who passed away in 2010. Established a year after his passing, the annual award is given to entities that “positively impact Tarrant County on a national scale,” according to the press release.
Past recipients of the award include the Texas Rangers, the Texas Department of Transportation, and Cassco Development.
In the press release, Steve Montgomery, president and CEO of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, said he was “thrilled to honor” the organization.
“Their visionary leadership and dedication to bringing Dickies Arena to Fort Worth have left an indelible mark on our city’s economic landscape. This state-of-the-art venue has not only become a cultural beacon for the community but also a driving force behind significant economic growth,” said Montgomery.
“From fostering tourism and attracting world-class events to creating employment opportunities and boosting local businesses, Dickies Arena’s impact on our city has been immeasurable.”
Matt Homan, president and general manager of Dickies Arena, said the organization is proud to receive the award and plans to continue to offer its services to the city and the region.
“One of the primary goals of Dickies Arena was to consistently bring top-notch sports and entertainment to the great city of Fort Worth for all citizens to enjoy,” said Homan in the press release. “Dickies Arena has hosted an average of over a million guests per year for the last two years, with guests traveling from a multitude of states as well as internationally to showcase our great city.”
Simmons Bank, a sponsor of the award, will present the award to TDMC at the Chamber’s State of the County address on August 17.
