Tourism Leadership Council’s 22nd Annual Tourism Awards held

Savannah’s Tourism Leadership Council hosted its 22nd Annual Tourism Awards and Scholarship Evening meal Thursday night.

The best of the greatest in the tourism community were honored during the black-tie gala. 20 awards received to those who have gone far beyond to help make the tourism community a better place. The function also honored five location students who have received scholarships to help expand their studies in the tourism and hospitality field.

Savannah’s Tourism Leadership Council shared a good set of the awards provided and just a little about the winners:

Service Head Award: The Service Leader Award is directed at a managerial level employee who exhibits phenomenal provider not only to guests, but also with their co-workers through their leadership capabilities. This year’s winner is usually Mary Mills, Director of Operations at Live Oak Restaurant Group. Mary may be the epitome of what it means to become a selfless innovator and hard employee. She inspires her colleagues to provide it their all, and all are thankful to have her. Mary received a large number of nominations from her workers and coworkers.

Service Superstar Award: The Service Superstar Award is presented to a tourism and hospitality sector employee who consistently demonstrates exemplary job functionality and goes above and beyond the decision of duty as she or he serves friends. This year’s winner is usually Betty Jean Green of the Azalea Inn & Villas. Ms. Green displays a relentless work to keep the property in tip-top condition, and guests appreciate her authentic and sincere health care and attentiveness throughout their stay.

Best Housekeeper Award: The Best Housekeeper Award was presented to Samantha Futch of The DeSoto. Mrs. Futch treats every day at The DeSoto as if it was her 1st, and she is focused on helping generate The DeSoto among the best accommodations in Savannah. She treats everyone she encounters with a gentle and sweet kindness.

Best Tour Instruction Award: The Best Tour Guide Award was presented to Ruben Alegria of Out of date Town Trolley. This past Tour Conductor of THE ENTIRE YEAR winner cares so many for his passengers’ knowledge that he designed a soundtrack to accompany his tour. Ruben continuously receives glowing reviews from his passengers.

Very best Valet / Bellman Award: THE VERY BEST Valet / Bellman Award was first presented to Damion Green of The Westin Savannah Harbor Golfing Resort & Spa. Damion’s obvious devotion to assisting guests as best as he can is what resulted in The Westin awarding him Associate of the Month, along with marketing him to Lead Bellman.

Best Support Personnel Award: The Best Support Staff Award was presented to Viola Spatcher of the Hyatt Regency. Performing as a Greeter, Viola requires fantastic care of her friends, and treats most of her colleagues simply as amazing as those that stay at the resort.

Best Front Desk Worker Award: THE VERY BEST Front Desk Worker Award was first presented to Jazmyn Wrighton of The Westin Savannah Harbor Golfing Resort & Spa. Jazmyn’s do the job ethic is certainly what shines the most. She consistently comes in early, stays later, and is ready to work longer shifts, when wanted. She excels at jumping into distinct roles when important and doing above the best expectations.

Best Server Award: THE VERY BEST Server Award was first presented to Wayne Gainey of The Marshall Home. Mr. Gainey is a fixture of Savannah hospitality for over fifteen years. He is referred to as gracious, welcoming, attentive, and caring. As Breakfast Supervisor, Mr. Gainey’s friendly and nice demeanor delights guests in the morning during breakfast.

Heart of Support Award: The Center of Services Award is directed at commemorate an incredible story received through the nomination method. This year’s Center of Support Award recipient is definitely Naomi Deloach of the Savannah Convention Middle. Mrs. Deloach was put in a crucial situation, and instantly jumped into action. Because of her willingness to give herself to help another in desperate need, she could save a individual being’s lifestyle. Mrs. Deloach efficiently resuscitated somebody who was almost misplaced. She exemplified a caring spirit, selflessness, courage, and determination to duty. The Heart of Service Award champion kept a center beating.

I just AM TOURISM Award: The “My spouse and i Am Tourism” Award recognizes someone who embodies the persona and spirit of tourism: integrity, commitment, selfless assistance, hard work, and kindness. This year’s award was presented with to Representative Carl Gilliard, who was just lately appointed to Georgia’s Film, Music, and Digital Entertainment Commission.

Community Champion Award: Each year, the TLC honors the legacy of ex - mayor John P. Rousakis through the aptly known as John P. Rousakis Network Champion Award. This season, the award was offered to Ms. Vaughnette Goode-Walker, Owner and Operator of Footprints of Savannah Walking Tour.

Visionary Award: The Herb & Franklin Traub Visionary Award honors the legacy of the overdue owners of The Pirates’ House by recognizing anyone who has made significant strides toward improving the community. This year, TLC chose Mr. Greg Kelly, Executive Director of the Savannah Airport terminal Commission.

Member of the entire year: The TLC boasts a large number of members performing within a lot more than 300 neighborhood businesses. Each year, an exceptional member is certainly honored because of their contributions to the organization through the Person in the entire year Award. This year’s winner is Gail Lusk, Advertising Manager and Brain Hostess at the Crystal Beer Parlor. Gail features been unbelievably reputable and helpful to the TLC. The TLC is definitely able to depend on Gail, as she's never said “no” whenever we have asked on her behalf assistance. The TLC is only as good as its users, and without the attempts and contributions of customers like Gail the TLC wouldn't normally be able to work as it does.

Plank of Directors Award: The Plank of Directors Award was presented with to Susan Broker, who serves as Director for the town of Savannah’s Business office of Special Events, Film & Tourism. This award isn't given annually. This reputation is only awarded with respect to the leadership of the organization when an individual worth recognition is called to attention.

Lifetime Accomplishment Award: The Lifetime Accomplishment Award was presented with to Mark Spadoni. This is truly a unique honor, as this is merely the third time in the TLC’s history that award has been given out.

Scholarship Recipients:

Elizabeth Duncan attends Georgia Southern University and research Hospitality Control. She grew a fondness for hospitality when she participated in a Culinary Arts Course in high school. Elizabeth offers volunteered at the Savannah Meals & Wine Festival, where she realized she wanted to break right into celebration planning. Her target is to 1 day wide open a bakery.

Jackson Gomes attends the University of SC Beaufort, where he research Hospitality Management. Jackson is an international scholar, hailing from Kolkata, India. As a result of strong traditional tailor made of his native residence of honoring the guest above everything, Jackson realized at an early age that he had a passion for hospitality.

Nia Knight attends Woodville Tompkins Senior high school and is dual e

nrolled at Savannah Complex College. She also functions as an intern at a local hotel. Nia features her capability to make solid bonds with people to her mother’s insistence that she get involved in several actions when she was young, like the Girl Scouts, which she actually is a long-standing member.

Camryn Lopusnak is a area of the University of Georgia’s inaugural Hospitality and Food Industry Management class. The key was not available when Camryn started her analyses at UGA, but she bravely changed majors hence she could stick to her true love. Camryn credits her mom for finding the courage to switch majors.

Tyler McGill-Simon, can be an Army veteran who attends Savannah Technical college, majoring found in Culinary Arts. Tyler says that your kitchen is her device and her mission is certainly to feed you something amazing. She brings a supplementary level of attention to her preparing food, refusing to ever have a single prepared meal for granted because she understands how significant a nourishing meal is usually to someone in need.