More than 500 people gathered on Wednesday, May 9 at the Convention Center to pay tribute to the backbone of the Virginia Beach hospitality industry, the tourism workforce.
As one of the major economic engines in Virginia Beach, the tourism industry supports more than 13,000 local jobs. This workforce consists of those who man the frontlines, work behind-the-scenes and operate the many corporate functions required to keep our travel and tourism industry vibrant.
Each May, the Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) hosts a luncheon to recognize and celebrate these amazing tourism representatives. The event is highlighted by an awards ceremony to recognize the "best of the best" in the industry.
Congratulations to the following hospitality professionals who won a 2018 National Travel & Travel award:
Carlos Wilson Lifetime Achievement Award: Brian Sutton - Rockafeller's
NTTW Public Service Award: Lynn Huneycutt - Virginia Beach CVB
Volunteer: Maria Harless - Holiday Inn North Beach
Outside Banquet Catering: Donovan Webb - Distinctive Gourmet
Transportation: Barrington Mattis - Gold Key | PHR Central Laundry
Attractions: Ike Owns - IMG
Retail: David Hand -Taste
Restaurant Category
Manager: Amanda Connelly - Mission BBQ
Bartender: Rachel Blake - Gold Key | PHR
Chef: Ashley Rosado - Holiday Inn North Beach
Bus Person: Ryan Granneman - Rockafeller's
Dishwasher: Donald Cornick - Virginia Beach Resort Hotel and Conference Center
Host/Hostess: Andrew DeCamillis -Tautog's
Line Cook: Desmond Gordon - Springhill Suites by Marriott
Prep Person: Yiatza Vargas - Baymont Inn and Suites
Wait Staff: Shahyar Shahnia - Rockafeller's
Hotel/Lodging Category
Activities/Spa/Fitness Coordinator: Jonanna Michele - VSA's Ocean Key Resorts
Banquet Catering: Elgin Bailey - Holiday Inn Virginia Beach Norfolk Hotel and Conference Center
Clerical/Front Office: Richard Cherry - Virginia Beach Resort Hotel & Conference Center
Concierge: Walter Jones - Diamond Resorts
Continental Breakfast Attendant: Aja Perthold - Homewood Suites by Hilton Virginia Beach
Front Desk: David Bisese - Courtyard by Marriott
Front Desk: Ken Knight - The Oceanfront Inn
Housekeeping: Sade Allsbrook - Homewood Suites by Hilton
Housekeeping: Sharlie Pascua - Homewood Suites by Hilton Virginia Beach
Laundry: Shirley Hoggard - Virginia Beach Resort Hotel & Conference Center
Maintenance: George Martill - Doubletree by Hilton
Sales Manager: Maria Brunner - Holiday Inn Virginia Beach Norfolk Hotel & Conference Center
Valet: Carl Rossi - Holiday Inn Virginia Beach Norfolk Hotel and Conference Center
About the Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau (www.VisitVirginiaBeach.com)
Where the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay meet, Virginia Beach promises visitors a unique chance to "Live the Life." Nature at its finest, just-caught and just-picked local food and toes-in-the-sand relaxation combine for a soul-satisfying experience. A world-renowned boardwalk, energetic downtown, state-of-the-art Convention Center, abundant parks and waterways, and mild weather give rise to an active lifestyle and flourishing local culture. The Virginia Beach CVB is responsible for promoting year-round leisure, business, meetings and conventions, international and sports travel to Virginia's most populous city. For media information and images, visit www.VisitVirginiaBeach.com/pressroom. Follow Virginia Beach on Twitter at twitter.com/VisitVaBch, Instagram at instagram.com/visitvabeach, Facebook at www.facebook.com/VirginiaBeachVA.
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