Tourism Week Awards
The annual National Travel and Tourism Week was celebrated in conjunction with the kickoff of Saber Sarasota Restaurant Week on May 14 at Bird Key Yacht Club.
This year’s event saw the return of Visit Sarasota’s awards program, now called the Haley Hall of Fame Award, in honor of Virginia Haley, former longtime president and CEO of VSC.
More than 150 tourism industry participants sampled food from eight restaurants participating in Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week in June.
Visit Sarasota County presented five Haley Hall of Fame awards to members of the community who continue to inspire and advance the tourism industry in the county.
Alexandra Norona of Frontline Excellence – Longboat Key Club and Resort. Heart of the House Excellence – Laura Lowe, The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota; Outstanding Volunteer – Big Cat Habitat Cantor; Good Management – Erin McLeod, Senior Friendship Center. and Rising Star – Caitlin Fusco, Mote Marine Laboratory.
Over 80 candidates were nominated.
The evening also included a ceremony honoring Jennifer O. Rominiecki, president and CEO of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, who received the 2024 Voice of Sarasota Tourism Award. This award is presented annually to an individual who has significantly improved Sarasota County as a tourist destination.
Sarasota County Board Chairman and Sarasota Opera General Director Richard Russell presented Rominiecki with the award, recognizing her contributions not only to Selby Gardens but throughout the county. She repositioned the garden to become known as Living Her Museum and serves on the boards of numerous organizations throughout the state of Florida.
Sponsors of the gala and Saber Sarasota’s kickoff were Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, Herald Tribune Media Group, Miles Partnership, Tiger Lily Flowers, Kokomo Charters and Original Wolfies.
Goodwill to share strengths
After months of planning, two Florida Goodwill organizations are combining their efforts and leveraging their unique strengths to expand services to people in need across South Florida.
Gulfstream Goodwill Industries has partnered with Goodwill Manasota, headquartered in the Sarasota-Manatee area, to provide a first-class retail experience in Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast.
Gulfstream Goodwill Industries, headquartered in West Palm Beach, is dedicated to delivering a wide range of impactful external mission programs designed to empower individuals and strengthen communities. Founded in 1966, GGI is the largest human and social services organization serving Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties.
Goodwill Industries Manasota, Inc., through its Palm Beach and Treasure Coast subsidiary Goodwill Industries, currently operates thrift stores under the Goodwill brand in the Palm Beach and Treasure Coast regions. Goodwill Manasota has received numerous awards for retail excellence and market leadership through his Goodwill movement within the company. In addition to expanding leadership opportunities for employees, the partnership also introduces internal education and training programs pioneered by Goodwill Manasota to all 600-plus retail team members in the Palm Beach and Treasure Coast markets. said Goodwill Manasota President. CEO Don Gisens.
For more information about Goodwill Manasota, visit experiencegoodwill.org.
