Historic City News was informed that the St. Johns County Visitors & Conventions Bureau honored employees in the local hospitality and tourism industry yesterday during the Bureau’s annual meeting.
A total of 38 individuals were recognized for their service in the tourism industry, with honors given in five categories: lodging, attractions, restaurant, retail and government.
Top awards went to:
- Kathi Ellison, Ripley’s Entertainment
- Shane Smith, Fairfield Inn & Suites
- Ryan Murphy, St Augustine Amphitheatre
- Elvira Heller, Black Raven Ship Store
- Nina Britten, Sunset Grille
Other nominees included: Joseph Abel, The Corazon Cinema & Café; Thomas Allen, Vernon’s at Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa; Carolyn Ashbaugh, Hilton Historic Bayfront; Neil Baker, DoubleTree by Hilton; Mary Ann Belyew, Ponte Vedra Lodge & Club; Dennis Bennett, Ponte Vedra Inn & Club; Ann Marie Boyer, Cedar House Inn Bed & Breakfast; Kelly Brooks, St. Francis Inn; Brendan Chamberlain, Red Train Tours; Josh Chizik, Ponte Vedra Beach Resorts; Julee Cooke, City of St. Augustine; Geofrey Espedido, Ponte Vedra Lodge & Club; Roberto Feliciano, Hilton Historic Bayfront; Kelly Fitzsimonds, Taberna del Caballo, Colonial Quarter; Dylan Goetz, Marineland Dolphin Adventure; Maggie Goller-Cornelison, DoubleTree by Hilton; Lina Hammond, St. Augustine Alligator Farm and Zoological Park; Bobby Hayes III, Ponte Vedra Lodge & Club; Anita Henslin, Pearl of the Sea Luxury Bed & Breakfast; Larry Hession, St. Augustine Distillery; Nicole Hogeland, DoubleTree by Hilton; Aaron Jockers, Tasting Tours; Laura Johnson, Colonial Quarter; James Kimbrough, Old Town Trolley Tours; Victoria Kitts, Oak Room and Lounge, DoubleTree by Hilton; Josh Knutson, Marineland Dolphin Adventure; Mary Jo Lendering, Flagler College Legacy Tours; Robin Lousteau, Colonial Quarter; Daren Merich, Hilton Historic Bayfront; Lucia Miller, St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce Ponte Vedra Visitors Center; Christine Miller, The Cozy Inn; Pamela Mullen, Hilton Historic Bayfront; Alison Nile, Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa; Nequita Pates, Beachers Lodge Oceanfront Suites; Pam Reed, Old Town Trolley Tours; Lisa Rose, City of St. Augustine Parking Facility; Marielena Scibelli, Howard Johnson Historic; Rebecca Skelly, Beachers Oceanfront Suites; Grace St. Clare, Black Raven Pirate Adventure; Keith Toomer, DoubleTree by Hilton; Renee Unsworth, Limelight Theatre; Jill Ursini, Beachers Lodge Oceanfront Suites; and Joe Wilhelm, DoubleTree by Hilton. It’s an honor just to be nominated, said somebody in Hollywood who didn’t win an award.
Tourism is the largest industry in St. Johns County and supports more than 18,000 jobs. In 2014, there were 5.3 million visitors to Florida’s Historic Coast.
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