On Tuesday night, the Tourism Leadership Council hosted its 23rd Annual Tourism Awards & Scholarship Dinner with more than 800 attendees. The event was a black-tie gala, honoring the best of the best in the tourism community. Sixteen awards were given to those who have gone above and beyond to make the tourism community a better place. This event also honored six area students who have received scholarships to further their studies in the tourism and hospitality field.

The following are the awards given, along with the winners:
  
Best Housekeeper Award
The Best Housekeeper Award was presented to Irene David of the J.W. Marriott Plant Riverside District. 
 
Best Tour Guide Award
The Best Tour Guide Award was presented to Chris Oliver of Kelly Tours. 

Best Valet / Bellman Award
The Best Valet / Bellman Award was presented to Kevin Frazier of Olde Harbour Inn.

Best Support Staff Award
The Best Support Staff Award was presented to Tonya Jackson of HLC Hotels. 

Best Front Desk / Concierge Employee Award
The Best Front Desk / Concierge Employee Award was presented to Wanell Guyette of The Eliza Thompson House.

Best Server Award 
The Best Server Award was presented to Patricia Irby of Homewood Suites Savannah Historic District. 

Service Leader Award
The Service Leader Award is presented to a managerial level employee who exhibits phenomenal service not only to guests, but also to their colleagues through their leadership abilities. This year’s winner is George Hawkins of The Bohemian Hotel.

Service Star Award
The Service Star Award is presented to a tourism and hospitality industry employee who consistently demonstrates exemplary job performance and goes above and beyond the call of duty as he or she serves guests. This year’s winner is Janice Pace of The Pirates' House. 

Chief Executive Officer Award
For his distinguished service, the award was presented to House Majority Leader Jon G. Burns.

I AM TOURISM Award
The “I Am Tourism” Award recognizes someone who embodies the personality and spirit of tourism: integrity, commitment, selfless service, hard work, and kindness. This year’s award was presented to Mary Jane Crouch of America's Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia.

Member of the Year
The TLC boasts thousands of members working in local business. Each year, an exceptional member is honored for their contributions to the organization through the Member of the Year Award. This year's winner is Michael Plummer of Yates Astro.

TLC Ambassador Award
This year’s winner is Marianne Ganem Poppell of Savannah Master Calendar.

Distinguished Service Award 
The winner of this award was presented to the Team at the Savannah Convention Center.

Board of Directors Award
The Board of Directors Award was given to the Communications and Marketing Team at Visit Savannah. This award is not given annually. This recognition is only awarded on behalf of the leadership of the organization when an individual deserving of recognition is called to attention.    

Community Champion Award
Every year, the TLC honors the legacy of former mayor John P. Rousakis through the aptly named John P. Rousakis Community Champion Award. This year, the award was presented to Mr. Pat Monahan.

Visionary Award
The Herb & Franklin Traub Visionary Award honors the legacy of the late owners of The Pirates’ House by recognizing someone who has made significant strides toward improving the community. This year, the TLC Board of Directors surprised the recipient by taking the stage at the end of the program to present the award to Michael Owens, President and CEO of the Tourism Leadership Council.                                                                    

Scholarship Recipients
The evening also honored six deserving students who aspire to work in the tourism and hospitality industry by awarding scholarship money for them to continue their field studies. The following are the six deserving winners:

Tina Burke
Savannah Technical College
Major: Hospitality Management

Jennifer Edwards
USCB – Bluffton
Major: Hospitality Management

Calli Evans
USCB – Bluffton
Major: Hospitality Management

Karns Hazlett
USCB – Bluftton
Major: Hospitality Management

Tyler Grace Hunt
University of Georgia
Major: Hospitality & Food Industry Management

Takenya Lowe Stewart
Savannah Technical College

We hope all of you who came to our event had as much of an amazing time as we did hosting! We look forward to seeing you at new year's gala!