TORONTO — Excitement was the order of the day on Friday, April 24 as the Greater Toronto Hotel Association presented its annual Spirit Awards at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. It was an opportunity to shine the spotlight on the hotel associates who work tirelessly in the front of the house and in the back of the house to ensure guest satisfaction. Associates were feted for outstanding work and distinction in several categories. More than 470 members of the GTHA were in attendance to honour 185 nominees and 18 award winners for their contributions to the hotel industry.
“It is with great pride that the GTHA celebrates the service, professionalism and innovation of these outstanding Ambassadors in the hotel community” said GTHA president & CEO Terry Mundell. “Their contributions to the visitor experience leave a lasting impression on the over 14 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”.
The winners of the Greater Toronto Hotel Association’s 4th Annual Spirit Awards are as follows:
Lifetime Achievement Award: Kathy Bartholomew, The Westin Harbour Castle
Accounting Ambassador of the Year: Angela De Las Alas, The Ritz- Carlton Toronto
Administration Ambassador of the Year: Giovanna Vallejo, Hilton Toronto
Banquet Ambassador of the Year: Peter Hess, Chelsea Hotel Toronto
Bell Person Ambassador of the Year: Vernon Bell, The Westin Harbour Castle
Concierge of the Year: Vanessa Kerwin-Thuan, The Omni King Edward Hotel
Culinary Ambassador of the Year: Audrey Thomas, InterContinental Toronto Centre
Engineering Ambassador of the Year: Marlow Delamasa, Park Hyatt Toronto Accounting
Food and Beverage Outlets Ambassador of the Year: Kavita Gajaria, The Fairmont Royal York
Guest Services Ambassador of the Year: Aneesa Mohammed, Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel & Conference Centre
Housekeeping Room Attendant Ambassador of the Year: Doris Osbourne, Holiday Inn Toronto Yorkdale
Housekeeping Support Services Ambassador of the Year: Marisa Ortal, Trump International Hotel and Tower Toronto
Laundry Ambassador of the Year: Concordia Lumor, Hilton Garden Inn Toronto Airport West/ Mississauga
Reservations Ambassador of the Year: Priti Dubey, Novotel North York
Security Ambassador of the Year: Ali Elkaderi, One King West Hotel & Residence
Steward of the Year: Augustina Oscar, Sheraton Centre Toronto
Switchboard Operator of the Year :Anne Chan- Chong, Hilton Mississauga/ Meadowvale
Valet Driver/ Door Person/ Shuttle Driver Ambassador of the Year: Warren Cole, Renaissance Toronto Hotel Downtown
The employees nominated represented more than 170 hotels with approximately 36,000 guestrooms and 32,000 employees.
