- October 9, 2021
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Members of Northwest Indiana’s hospitality industry were honored Sept. 23 with the South Shore Convention & Visitors Authority annual tourism awards.
More than 280 hospitality industry professionals were on hand for this year’s ROSE (Recognition of Service Excellence) and RISE (Recognition of Industry ad Excellence) awards ceremony at the Dean and Barbary White Community Center in Merrillville.
This year’s program took on additional meaning as the COVID-19 pandemic devastated the tourism and hospitality industry in 2020 and into 2021. ROSE and RISE award winners from 2020 were recognized alongside the 2021 honorees, because the event was conducted virtually last year.
“It goes without saying that due to COVID, 2020 and 2021 have been extremely difficult years for the hospitality industry,” Andy Qunell, board chairman said in a news release.
Qunell cited U.S. Travel Association estimates that nearly $500 billion in travel spending was lost in 2020.
“Prior to COVID, front line workers already had very difficult jobs and COVID has added another level to the many challenges they must juggle each day,” Qunell said.
The event was hosted by Darnail Lyles, SSCVA board member and special counsel to Gary Mayor Jerome Prince, and Jason Yurechko, the voice of the Gary South Shore Rail Cats and courtside announcer for Valparaiso University. This year there were eight ROSE Award winners and six RISE Award winners.
ROSE Award winners for 2021 include: Kay Bright from the Hilton Garden Inn in Merrillville; Elyssia Logsdon and Proselia Walker, who both work for with Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, in Gary; Sandy Martinez with Eco Chic Boutique in Dyer; Richard Nichols, with Strack & Van Til in Schererville; Jennifer Schreiber from Walgreens in Whiting; Kirk Sladic with DOC’s Smokehouse & Craft Bar in Dyer; and Patrick Wozney with the Hampton Inn & Suites in Valparaiso.
RISE Award winners include: Sonia Bailey with the Fairfield Inn & Suites Fair Oaks Farm in Fair Oaks; Pam and Joe Broadaway with Trailblazers Bike Barn in Hobart; Jon Collette with Horseshoe Casino in Hammond; Nicole Jones with Best Western Northwest Indiana Inn in Hammond; Milan Kruszynski with the Hammond Port Authority and Spencer Newell with Schoop’s in Highland.
ROSE winners honored for 2020 include Alexa Cano from the Mascot Hall of Fame in Whiting; Izayah Edwards with Jewel Osco in Crown Point; Samantha Farler with Merrillville Florist & Tea Room; Karen Jones with Teibel’s Restaurant in Schererville; Patricia Scott from Majestic Star Casino in Gary and Chana Thompson from Stadium Sports Bar & Grill at Ameristar Casino in East Chicago. RISE winners for 2020 were Sonja Dactelides from Majestic Star Casino in Gary and Natalie Garza from Bellaboo’s Play & Discover Center in Lake Station.
Residents and visitors to attractions, hotels and businesses in Northwest Indiana can nominate a front-line or managerial employee for a ROSE and RISE nominations for front-line and managerial employees who provide exceptional service are accepted year-round at www.rose-awards.com.
Carrie Napoleon is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
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