Over 200 members of the hospitality community attended a luncheon Wednesday at the Osborn Center hosted by the Jacksonville & the Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau. The local tourism industry has been working to rebound from the drop in visitors to the state following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Michael Stewart, chairman of the CVB said he is hoping to capitalize on the travelers along I-95 and I-10. “We want them to stop and check out our city,” said Stewart. “Now there is more reason than ever to recognize the stars and heroes of our industry.”
Ten members of the service industry were awarded the Hospitality Hero Award. They are Larysa Fraifield of the Radisson; Tom Gagne of The Ritz Carlton in Amelia Island; Enrique Huerta of Casa Monica Hotel, Joyce Huckaby of the Super 8 Motel in Orange Park; Patricia IIey of Sea Turtle Inn; Kathy Manning of Sawgrass Marriott; Patti McRoberts of Clarion Hotel at the JIA; Erica Murray and Phil Patterson of Omni; Torrence Smith of Residence Inn at JIA; State Sen. Jim King and State Rep. Don Davis, vice president of corporate relations for Gate Petroleum Company.