PE.com - Tourism Blog

Who needs an Oscar?

Travelers rarely meet hotel or restaurant managers, but they do get to know the person behind the front desk, the steering wheel of a tour bus or a bar's counter for better or worse.

To honor those that left a positive lasting impression on folks visiting the Coachella Valley last year, the Palm Springs Desert Resorts Convention and Visitors Authority awarded Kaiser Grille employee Erin Earhart $1,000 and two airline tickets to anywhere in the United States. (Hopefully she gets a return flight).

Nominees included:
Elena Sembenini from the Ristorante Tuscany at the JW Marriott Desert Springs in Palm Desert.
Sonny Prieto with Elite Land Tours.
Mitch Cazier with Desert Adventures
Alex Castro with Palm Canyon Resort
Luisa Esparza with Ruby's Diner in Palm Springs
Connie Apodaca with the Wyndham Palm Springs

Other awards went to:

Restaurateur of the Year
Mark C. Stagner, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse

Business Attraction Person of the Year
Alex Haagen, Empire Polo Club*
*host to the Stagecoach and Coachella music festivals

Outstanding General Manager for Hotels 200 Rooms or Less
Jonathan Heath, Viceroy Palm Springs

Outstanding General Manager for Hotels 201 Rooms or More
Tom Netting, Hyatt Grand Champions Resort and Spa in Indian Wells

Salesperson of the Year
Barbara Lyons, Holiday Inn Palm Springs

-- KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
kpierceall@PE.com