When you visit a restaurant, hotel or tourist attraction, make sure you say thanks to the workers who put in the extra effort to make your experience a good one! That’s what we did today at the Norfolk Convention And Visitor’s Bureau’s Champions of Hospitality Rally at Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center in downtown Norfolk.

My WAVY colleagues Bruce Rader, Stephanie Harris and Tom Schaad joined ODU Football Coach Bobby Wilder on the judging panel for most spirited large and small organization. The organizations always bribe us with food, drink and cool knick knacks that reflect their organizations. We could barely carry all of the goodies out of there! DJ B*Ryte from 103 JAMZ (Boodah Brothers Morning Show) helped engage the crowd.

Once again, Booker T. Washington’s marching band and cheerleaders got the crowd amped up! Norfolk’s one and only philanthropist, Attorney “Uncle Pete” Decker served as emcee and got lots of hugs and kisses, cheers and praise from the crowd once again.

This year, we had the added touch of fans with Uncle Pete’s beautiful face on them!

The big winners were:  Sheraton Waterside Hotel in the large organization category; and DNC (Downtown Norfolk Council) in the small organization category.

Here’s a look at the other winners:

Norfolk’s 2011 Champions of Hospitality

2011 Overall Winner & Driver: Frank Brooks with Black & White Cabs

Admissions: Ricky White with Nauticus (Guest Relations)

Assistant: Chris Russell with Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel (Sales Assistant)

Banquets: CJ Newton with Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel (Banquet Captain)

Bartender – Fine Dining: Kristen Crowley with Byrd & Baldwin

Bartender – Casual Dining:  Brynn Larsen with 219

Front Desk – Hotel: Rachelle Viar with the Norfolk Waterside Marriott

Front Desk – Restaurant: Kat Curtin with 3-Way Café

Hostess: Tierra Jones with Shula’s

Housekeeper: Shandesa Simmons with the Residence Inn by Marriott Downtown

Houseman: William Vincent with the Hilton Norfolk Airport

Kitchen: Ronald Taylor with Lake Wright Quality Suites & Sleep Inn

Maintenance: Susan Rogers with MacArthur Center (Facilities Admin Coordinator)

Military/Government: Jackie Washington with the MWR

Parking Attendant: Garcia Ortiz with the City of Norfolk

Public Service Ambassador: Rudy Walker with the Downtown Norfolk Council

Receptionist: Mellina Talamantes with the Norfolk Airport Authority

Reservations: Casey Williams, Navy Gateway Inn & Suites

Retail: Ladymar McClintic with Cora’s Beauty Connection

Server: Frances Pettus with the Navy Lodge Norfolk

Tour Guide: Angela Springer with the Chrysler Museum of Art

Valet: Josh Schweitzer with the Courtyard by Marriott Downtown

Volunteer: Welland (Doc) Shoop with the Hampton Roads Naval Museum

Virginia Zoo Ambassador: Rhima

As a proud Norfolk resident, it’s always great to participate in this event and see some longtime friends who work in the service industry and to meet new ones. We need to remember those who make our lives easier all the time, not just during  National Travel and Tourism Week so don’t forget to say thanks to that bartender, ambassador, waitress, receptionist, cab driver, housekeeper,parking attendant, bellman, assistant and others who go above and beyond to make sure we have a great experience. Thanks to all in the service industry for a job well done! Cya again next year!

**Thanks to photographer Kristi Schneider who took the best looking pictures in this blog!**

 

Tags: bobby wilder, Bruce Rader, champions, downtown norfolk, downtown norfolk council, half moone cruise and celebration center, hospitality, nicole livas, norfolk cvb, norfolk sheraton, pete decker, rally, stephanie harris, Tom Schaad, tourism