County VCB doles out tourism awards
Twenty-nine Lee County tourism professionals received awards for their “over-the-top” hospitality professionalism during the 14th annual Elaine McLaughlin Outstanding Hospitality Service Awards at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa on Tuesday. Honorable mention plaques and overall winner trophies were distributed to the 2014 customer service leaders.
The E Awards, produced by the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau, recognized 612 nominees that were applauded for their “first class service” in six categories: restaurant, transportation, accommodations, attractions, other services and Good Samaritan. A Best Tourism Boss honoree and the prestigious Honor of Distinction award were rewarded to two others.
Category winners were Guillermo Espinoza of Courtyard by Marriot Gulf Coast Town Center (restaurant); Jason Barrett of Lee County Port Authority (transportation); Cara Pennetti of Sundial Beach Resort & Spa (accommodations); Capt. Brian Holaway (attractions); Peter Towle of Bailey’s General Store (other services); and Luke Wilcox of Fiber Solutions (Good Samaritan). Best Tourism Boss went to Brian Holly of Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport at Town Center, while Jim Niccum captured the Honor of Distinction.
The customer service nominated superstars -including 59 nominees from Fort Myers Beach- received praise for their nomination elements that included service satisfaction, leadership, work ethic, job knowledge, performance skills, familiarity with the destination and assistance during an emergency. Generosity, spirit, kindness, passion and performing small acts of support also led to nominations and eventual winners.
“Without your dedication and enthusiasm in talking about our beautiful destination to visitors and local residents, we would not be able to provide the hands-on, personalized, customer service that makes us different from so many other counties,” said Lee VCB Executive Director Tamara Pigott. “You work with over 5 million visitors each year and your goal to provide only the very best customer service to your guests, customers and visitors is what sets us apart from destinations around the globe. As you know, everything you do affects your guests, and they really let us know about the wonderful service you provided.”
Honorable mentions in each category were as follows: Marshall D’Souza of Hilton Garden Inn, Julissa Feliz of HMS Host and Lea Collier at Holiday Inn Express & Suites at the Forum (restaurant); Jerry O’Brien at SP Plus, Douglas Villalba at Professional Airline Terminal Services, Kevin White at SP Plus (transportation); Mario Ramirez at Holiday Inn Express & Suites at the Forum, Shauna Frink at Kona Kai Motel, Paula Greenfield at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa, Joe Mason at Royal Shell Vacations and Charlotte Holler at Hampton Inn & Suites Estero (accommodations); Carolyn Conant at Cape Coral Bike Ped, Dorothy Buchholz at Broadway Palm Dinner Theater and Ruben Perez at Captiva Cruises (attractions); Sue Shields at Bonita Bay Club, David Crowther at CFS Roofing Services and Tony Rivers at Sun Harvest Citrus (other services); and Charles Martz at South Seas Island Resort, Tami Murphy at Lee County Port Authority and Bob Fodor and Laurie Jensen at Beachview Cottages (Good Samaritan).
Nominations for “above and beyond” effort flew in all year long from visitors and area residents or from tourism industry partners that recommended their employees or co-workers for their outstanding assistance.
“Without you and your focus on providing unparalleled customer service, to do what it takes to provide for guests, to step in where needed and make every guest experience their very best experience, we would be just another place with a lot of sunshine,” said Lee County Commissioner John Manning. “We know that much of the tourism’s nearly $3 billion local economic impact is driven by all of the things you do to make visitors feel welcome, appreciated and cared for. What makes the real difference for people is the personalized service that each of you provides when you meet your guests. Everything you do impacts the customer. You are all experts at making dreams come true for visitors.”
Beach resident Fran Myers, a Lee County Tourist Development Council member and co-owner of Red Coconut RV Resort, and FMB Town Manager Don Stilwell were recognized as special guests to acknowledge the nominees and winners. Neil Hopgood of DiamondHead Beach Resort, Curt Brenner of GullWing Beach Resort, Steve Contes of Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina and Randy Kares of Pointe Estero Beach Resort were among the Beach business sponsors.
The event also honored all 43 graduates of the 2013-2014 Guests First customer service training program who achieved their Certified Guest Service Professional designation from the VCB and American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute. Certified Guest Properties distinctions went to Holiday Inn Express & Suites at the Forum, Beach Club 1 and Windward Passage Resort, the latter two from Fort Myers Beach.
The E Awards Steering Committee, a group that served as the nomination judges, included Cindy Gallagher, The Breeze Newspapers; Maria Maddalena, Florida SouthWestern State College; Tom Nichols, Lee County Port Authority; Anne Schroeder, Schroeder Management Consultants; and Kim Tiernan, Guest Services, Inc.
Pigott stated one out of every five jobs in the county is directly or indirectly related to tourism.
“All of us in tourism, business, and the service industries partner together to promote and support Lee County to bring vacationers and business travelers, seasonal residents, visiting friends and relatives, recreational and sports competition attendees and meetings participants to not only share the natural beauty of our county but to benefit the economy,” she said. “You are one of the main reasons why visitors enjoy their time with us.”
Go to www.EAwards.org to learn more.
County VCB doles out tourism awards
Twenty-nine Lee County tourism professionals received awards for their “over-the-top” hospitality professionalism during the 14th annual Elaine McLaughlin Outstanding Hospitality Service Awards at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa on Tuesday. Honorable mention plaques and overall winner trophies were distributed to the 2014 customer service leaders.
The E Awards, produced by the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau, recognized 612 nominees that were applauded for their “first class service” in six categories: restaurant, transportation, accommodations, attractions, other services and Good Samaritan. A Best Tourism Boss honoree and the prestigious Honor of Distinction award were rewarded to two others.
Category winners were Guillermo Espinoza of Courtyard by Marriot Gulf Coast Town Center (restaurant); Jason Barrett of Lee County Port Authority (transportation); Cara Pennetti of Sundial Beach Resort & Spa (accommodations); Capt. Brian Holaway (attractions); Peter Towle of Bailey’s General Store (other services); and Luke Wilcox of Fiber Solutions (Good Samaritan). Best Tourism Boss went to Brian Holly of Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport at Town Center, while Jim Niccum captured the Honor of Distinction.
The customer service nominated superstars -including 59 nominees from Fort Myers Beach- received praise for their nomination elements that included service satisfaction, leadership, work ethic, job knowledge, performance skills, familiarity with the destination and assistance during an emergency. Generosity, spirit, kindness, passion and performing small acts of support also led to nominations and eventual winners.
“Without your dedication and enthusiasm in talking about our beautiful destination to visitors and local residents, we would not be able to provide the hands-on, personalized, customer service that makes us different from so many other counties,” said Lee VCB Executive Director Tamara Pigott. “You work with over 5 million visitors each year and your goal to provide only the very best customer service to your guests, customers and visitors is what sets us apart from destinations around the globe. As you know, everything you do affects your guests, and they really let us know about the wonderful service you provided.”
Honorable mentions in each category were as follows: Marshall D’Souza of Hilton Garden Inn, Julissa Feliz of HMS Host and Lea Collier at Holiday Inn Express & Suites at the Forum (restaurant); Jerry O’Brien at SP Plus, Douglas Villalba at Professional Airline Terminal Services, Kevin White at SP Plus (transportation); Mario Ramirez at Holiday Inn Express & Suites at the Forum, Shauna Frink at Kona Kai Motel, Paula Greenfield at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa, Joe Mason at Royal Shell Vacations and Charlotte Holler at Hampton Inn & Suites Estero (accommodations); Carolyn Conant at Cape Coral Bike Ped, Dorothy Buchholz at Broadway Palm Dinner Theater and Ruben Perez at Captiva Cruises (attractions); Sue Shields at Bonita Bay Club, David Crowther at CFS Roofing Services and Tony Rivers at Sun Harvest Citrus (other services); and Charles Martz at South Seas Island Resort, Tami Murphy at Lee County Port Authority and Bob Fodor and Laurie Jensen at Beachview Cottages (Good Samaritan).
Nominations for “above and beyond” effort flew in all year long from visitors and area residents or from tourism industry partners that recommended their employees or co-workers for their outstanding assistance.
“Without you and your focus on providing unparalleled customer service, to do what it takes to provide for guests, to step in where needed and make every guest experience their very best experience, we would be just another place with a lot of sunshine,” said Lee County Commissioner John Manning. “We know that much of the tourism’s nearly $3 billion local economic impact is driven by all of the things you do to make visitors feel welcome, appreciated and cared for. What makes the real difference for people is the personalized service that each of you provides when you meet your guests. Everything you do impacts the customer. You are all experts at making dreams come true for visitors.”
Beach resident Fran Myers, a Lee County Tourist Development Council member and co-owner of Red Coconut RV Resort, and FMB Town Manager Don Stilwell were recognized as special guests to acknowledge the nominees and winners. Neil Hopgood of DiamondHead Beach Resort, Curt Brenner of GullWing Beach Resort, Steve Contes of Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina and Randy Kares of Pointe Estero Beach Resort were among the Beach business sponsors.
The event also honored all 43 graduates of the 2013-2014 Guests First customer service training program who achieved their Certified Guest Service Professional designation from the VCB and American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute. Certified Guest Properties distinctions went to Holiday Inn Express & Suites at the Forum, Beach Club 1 and Windward Passage Resort, the latter two from Fort Myers Beach.
The E Awards Steering Committee, a group that served as the nomination judges, included Cindy Gallagher, The Breeze Newspapers; Maria Maddalena, Florida SouthWestern State College; Tom Nichols, Lee County Port Authority; Anne Schroeder, Schroeder Management Consultants; and Kim Tiernan, Guest Services, Inc.
Pigott stated one out of every five jobs in the county is directly or indirectly related to tourism.
“All of us in tourism, business, and the service industries partner together to promote and support Lee County to bring vacationers and business travelers, seasonal residents, visiting friends and relatives, recreational and sports competition attendees and meetings participants to not only share the natural beauty of our county but to benefit the economy,” she said. “You are one of the main reasons why visitors enjoy their time with us.”
Go to www.EAwards.org to learn more.
County VCB doles out tourism awards
Twenty-nine Lee County tourism professionals received awards for their “over-the-top” hospitality professionalism during the 14th annual Elaine McLaughlin Outstanding Hospitality Service Awards at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa on Tuesday. Honorable mention plaques and overall winner trophies were distributed to the 2014 customer service leaders.
The E Awards, produced by the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau, recognized 612 nominees that were applauded for their “first class service” in six categories: restaurant, transportation, accommodations, attractions, other services and Good Samaritan. A Best Tourism Boss honoree and the prestigious Honor of Distinction award were rewarded to two others.
Category winners were Guillermo Espinoza of Courtyard by Marriot Gulf Coast Town Center (restaurant); Jason Barrett of Lee County Port Authority (transportation); Cara Pennetti of Sundial Beach Resort & Spa (accommodations); Capt. Brian Holaway (attractions); Peter Towle of Bailey’s General Store (other services); and Luke Wilcox of Fiber Solutions (Good Samaritan). Best Tourism Boss went to Brian Holly of Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport at Town Center, while Jim Niccum captured the Honor of Distinction.
The customer service nominated superstars -including 59 nominees from Fort Myers Beach- received praise for their nomination elements that included service satisfaction, leadership, work ethic, job knowledge, performance skills, familiarity with the destination and assistance during an emergency. Generosity, spirit, kindness, passion and performing small acts of support also led to nominations and eventual winners.
“Without your dedication and enthusiasm in talking about our beautiful destination to visitors and local residents, we would not be able to provide the hands-on, personalized, customer service that makes us different from so many other counties,” said Lee VCB Executive Director Tamara Pigott. “You work with over 5 million visitors each year and your goal to provide only the very best customer service to your guests, customers and visitors is what sets us apart from destinations around the globe. As you know, everything you do affects your guests, and they really let us know about the wonderful service you provided.”
Honorable mentions in each category were as follows: Marshall D’Souza of Hilton Garden Inn, Julissa Feliz of HMS Host and Lea Collier at Holiday Inn Express & Suites at the Forum (restaurant); Jerry O’Brien at SP Plus, Douglas Villalba at Professional Airline Terminal Services, Kevin White at SP Plus (transportation); Mario Ramirez at Holiday Inn Express & Suites at the Forum, Shauna Frink at Kona Kai Motel, Paula Greenfield at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa, Joe Mason at Royal Shell Vacations and Charlotte Holler at Hampton Inn & Suites Estero (accommodations); Carolyn Conant at Cape Coral Bike Ped, Dorothy Buchholz at Broadway Palm Dinner Theater and Ruben Perez at Captiva Cruises (attractions); Sue Shields at Bonita Bay Club, David Crowther at CFS Roofing Services and Tony Rivers at Sun Harvest Citrus (other services); and Charles Martz at South Seas Island Resort, Tami Murphy at Lee County Port Authority and Bob Fodor and Laurie Jensen at Beachview Cottages (Good Samaritan).
Nominations for “above and beyond” effort flew in all year long from visitors and area residents or from tourism industry partners that recommended their employees or co-workers for their outstanding assistance.
“Without you and your focus on providing unparalleled customer service, to do what it takes to provide for guests, to step in where needed and make every guest experience their very best experience, we would be just another place with a lot of sunshine,” said Lee County Commissioner John Manning. “We know that much of the tourism’s nearly $3 billion local economic impact is driven by all of the things you do to make visitors feel welcome, appreciated and cared for. What makes the real difference for people is the personalized service that each of you provides when you meet your guests. Everything you do impacts the customer. You are all experts at making dreams come true for visitors.”
Beach resident Fran Myers, a Lee County Tourist Development Council member and co-owner of Red Coconut RV Resort, and FMB Town Manager Don Stilwell were recognized as special guests to acknowledge the nominees and winners. Neil Hopgood of DiamondHead Beach Resort, Curt Brenner of GullWing Beach Resort, Steve Contes of Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina and Randy Kares of Pointe Estero Beach Resort were among the Beach business sponsors.
The event also honored all 43 graduates of the 2013-2014 Guests First customer service training program who achieved their Certified Guest Service Professional designation from the VCB and American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute. Certified Guest Properties distinctions went to Holiday Inn Express & Suites at the Forum, Beach Club 1 and Windward Passage Resort, the latter two from Fort Myers Beach.
The E Awards Steering Committee, a group that served as the nomination judges, included Cindy Gallagher, The Breeze Newspapers; Maria Maddalena, Florida SouthWestern State College; Tom Nichols, Lee County Port Authority; Anne Schroeder, Schroeder Management Consultants; and Kim Tiernan, Guest Services, Inc.
Pigott stated one out of every five jobs in the county is directly or indirectly related to tourism.
“All of us in tourism, business, and the service industries partner together to promote and support Lee County to bring vacationers and business travelers, seasonal residents, visiting friends and relatives, recreational and sports competition attendees and meetings participants to not only share the natural beauty of our county but to benefit the economy,” she said. “You are one of the main reasons why visitors enjoy their time with us.”