Visit Pensacola Honors Four Hospitality Heroes During Annual Hospitality Hero Awards Ceremony

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:
Nicole Stacey, Visit Pensacola | nstacey@visitpensacola.com

Pensacola, Fla. - Visit Pensacola announced its Hospitality Hero Winners on Thursday, May 23, in front of industry peers, partners, and community stakeholders.

Annually, Visit Pensacola recognizes outstanding individuals who have significantly contributed to the hospitality and tourism industry. "This event is a wonderful opportunity to honor the exceptional individuals who drive our hospitality and tourism industry. Every day, their hard work and dedication make a significant impact on the Pensacola Bay Area. Without them, our vibrant tourism scene simply wouldn't thrive," said Rachael Gillette, Visit Pensacola Board Chair. Each winner also receives a $500 award in recognition of their contributions. This year's winners include:

Ray Concannon
Affiliation: Pensacola Bay City Ferry
Category: Transportation

Evan Wheeler
Affiliation: Hot Spots Charters
Category: Attractions

Donna Vandergrift
Affiliation: Hyatt Place Pensacola Airport
Category: Lodging

Shirley Thompson
Affiliation: Innisfree / Hilton Pensacola Beach
Category: Restaurant/Dining

"Our Hospitality Heroes are the foundation of our tourism industry. Their unwavering dedication and relentless hard work are what create unforgettable experiences for our visitors. We take immense pride in honoring these exceptional individuals and acknowledging their invaluable contributions," President and CEO Darien Schaefer added.

To download pictures and learn more about the winners, click here. For more information on National Travel and Tourism Week events, visit www.visitpensacola.com/who-we-are/national-travel-tourism-week/.

About Visit Pensacola
Visit Pensacola is the destination organization for Escambia County which includes Pensacola, Pensacola Beach, and Perdido Key. With over 464 years of rich history and nearly 40 miles of sugar-white sand beaches bordered by the emerald-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico, visitors from all over the world are lured to our pristine shores every year. Visit Pensacola supports the community vision of tourism by serving as the central body responsible for building tourism as an economic engine for our community through leadership, connection, collaboration, and communication.