As a fellow CRVA/Visit Charlotte Partner, I’m always thrilled to attend the annual Partners in Tourism Awards breakfast. The event recognizes the top hospitality and business professionals that directly impact tourism in the Charlotte region. This year, I got the chance to both the event and cover the ceremony; can’t get much better than that! Always excited to work with the Visit Charlotte team, and so honored to be a part of this great organization.

Shout out to the 2016 Partners in Tourism Award winners:
Full Service Hotel of the Year: Sheraton Charlotte Hotel / Le Méridien Charlotte
Select Service Hotel of the Year: Residence Inn Charlotte Piper Glen
Attraction of the Year: Charlotte Knights
Nightlife/Entertainment Venue of the Year: The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery
Restaurant of the Year: Mimosa Grill
Retail Establishment of the Year: Charlotte Premium Outlets
Service Company of the Year: Party Reflections
Hospitality Unsung Hero Award: Pearline Howze, Executive Housekeeper at Fairfield Inn & Suites Charlotte Uptown
Outstanding Ambassador Award: Charles Wahrenberger, Guest Service Representative at Sonesta ES Suites Charlotte
Hospitality Professional of the Year: Ron Kimble, Deputy City Manager for the City of Charlotte
Local Champions Awards: Ben Knight, Owner of three FastSigns locations (helped book the company’s 2015 Sales Summit in Charlotte); David Doctor, President of E4 Carolinas (helped book three engineering and manufacturing shows in Charlotte); Heidi Walters, Director of Partner & Industry Relations for Visit NC (brought tour operators and the Travel South International Showcase to Charlotte)
Hospitality Professional of the Year: Ron Kimble, Deputy City Manager for the City of Charlotte