John Davies, entrepreneur, was the recipient of the 2003 Professional Achievement Award. Davies, owner of Woodlands Communications Group, was instrumental in the creation and dedication of the Celebrate Northwest Indiana/Quality of Life wall, which now has a permanent home at the
The Hospitality Manager of the Year was awarded to Kevin Spudic of the Gary SouthShore RailCats. Roger Wexelberg, vice president/general manager of the RailCats nominated Spudic by saying, “Kevin is my right hand and second in command of the organization and represents the RailCats in a first class, professional manner. It takes a special individual to be able to develop positive partnerships with fans and sponsors.”
Awards for Hospitality Employee of the Year were presented to Paige Sullivan of County Line Orchard and Michael Cavvouras of
McAfee, owners of County Line Orchard said, “Paige is the kind of employee every employer would love to have. She works hard to assure the guest’s first impression of our business is a positive one.” John Loxas, owner of Ramada Inn & Conference Center said, “With our hotel and our sister hotel going through renovations, Mike has gone above and beyond his normal maintenance duties by building a 27-foot gazebo and making wrought iron railings around the pool area and stairways, in addition to doing his normal duties of removing snow in the winter or fixing the usual leaky faucets.”
Other nominees who received an honorable mention were: Nick Ilickovich and Amal Darwish of Horseshoe Casino, Ann Peters of Avalon Manor Banquet Center, Rosa Pizano of Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza, Dave Hoffner of Cedar Lake Bible Conference Center, Paul Piazza of Harrah’s East Chicago Casino & Hotel, Trudy Reyna of Super 8 North Hammond, Camille Matthias of Crestview Inn & Suites and Michelle King, Cynthia Broaders, Elinora London, Bonnie Boyd and Joyce Reese, all of Majestic Star Casino.
The Hotelier of the Year was awarded to Radisson Hotel at
The award for Restaurant of the Year was presented to Johnel’s Restaurant in
Attraction of the Year for 2003 was Community Veterans Memorial in
The Downtown Ducks was awarded the Festival/Event of the Year. This event had individuals flocking to downtown
The 2003 Facility of the Year was The Barn at County Line Orchard. David and Bonnie McAfee, who accepted the award, took an old barn located a mile away from the orchard, moved it and began extensive renovations. Now, when the apple picking season ends and the orchard closes, the barn magically transforms into one of the finest and most unique reception halls in
The Lake County Convention and Visitors Bureau presents their hospitality awards during National Tourism Week at the annual Tourism Week Luncheon. This year’s luncheon was held May 12 at the Blue Chip Casino in cooperation with the Porter County Convention, Recreation and Visitors Commission and the LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
For more information, contact Luke Weinman at (219) 989-7770.