TORONTO — Great service is at the root of any successful hotel, so it should come as no surprise that the hotels that are invariably lauded for superb service are the same ones that have outstanding employees. With that in mind, the Greater Toronto Hotel Association (GTHA) presented its third annual Spirit Awards, celebrating exceptional ambassadors in the hospitality industry in Canada’s biggest city.
More than 350 hospitality employees and their employers came together to celebrate service excellence at the recent awards luncheon at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
Kevin Frankish, co-host of Toronto’s Breakfast Television, served as the event’s emcee and provided entertainment, when he traded places with some of the host venue’s employees. Those employees were given at seat at the head table with some of event’s special guests, while Frankish “performed” their job duties. It added some levity to a day of saluting the more than 32,000 employees who comprise the city’s 170 hotels.
“It is with great pride that the GTHA celebrates the service, professionalism and innovation of these outstanding ambassadors in the hotel community,” said Terry Mundell, GTHA president and CEO. “Their contributions to the visitor experience leave a lasting impression on the over 13 million overnight visitors to the Greater Toronto Area. Our congratulations go out to each nominee and award winner for their exceptional service to guests visiting GTHA member hotels”.
Among this year’s winners were:
Lifetime Achievement Award
Alice Marsh, InterContinental Toronto Centre
Accounting Ambassador of the Year
Dave Clark, The Fairmont Royal York Hotel
Administration Ambassador of the Year
Mable Law, Hyatt Regency Toronto
Banquet Ambassador of the Year
Roger Cabading, The Omni King Edward Hotel
Bell Person Ambassador of the Year
Daniel Tesfamichael, Eaton Chelsea
Concierge of the Year
Monika Grossenbacher, Renaissance Toronto Downtown Hotel
Culinary Ambassador of the Year
Marcia Scott, Radisson Admiral Hotel – The Harbourfront
Engineering Ambassador of the Year
Wence Pena, Toronto Don Valley Hotel & Suites
Food and Beverage Outlets Ambassadors of the Year
Victor Paulo, Holiday Inn Toronto Yorkdale
Ralph Selbach, Toronto Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre
Guest Services Ambassador of the Year
Rocco Caprarella, Sheraton Centre Toronto
Housekeeping Ambassadors of the Year
Angelia Gayadeen, Delta Meadowvale Hotel
Rodolfo Teodoro, Hilton Toronto
Laundry Ambassador of the Year
Joseph Manglicmot, Novotel Mississauga
Reservations Ambassador of the Year
Carlo Nalli, Toronto Marriott Bloor Yorkville
Security Ambassador of the Year
Krzysztof Mazur, The Ritz-Carlton Toronto
Spa Ambassador of the Year
Dana Vjestica, Park Hyatt Toronto
Steward of the Year
Fatima Xavier, The Westin Harbour Castle
Switchboard Operator of the Year
Liliane Theodore, Sheraton Gateway Hotel
Valet Driver/Door Person/Shuttle Driver Ambassador of the Year
Ernest Cohen, Westin Prince Toronto
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