Hollywood, Florida: All America City and
Revitalized Beach Destination for Sun-sational Experiences

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Judy Erickson
Hollywood, Florida Office of Tourism
(954) 921-3478
Email: jerickson@hollywoodfl.org

HOLLYWOOD HOSPITALITY EMPLOYEES
RECOGNIZED FOR "SUNSATIONAL SERVICE"

HOLLYWOOD, FL - December 13, 2008 - Two members of Hollywood’s hospitality community were recently recognized for exceptional service to Broward visitors as part of the 20th annual SUNsational Service Courtesy Awards program.

Abelina Scanio, a guest service agent at Crowne Plaza Hollywood Beach Resort, and Rohan Wilmot, a floor technician at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, were among 12 award-winners who were saluted for their creativity, dedication and commitment to providing SUNsational service.

Outstanding customer service is a top priority for the hospitality community in Hollywood, which boasts the distinction of being rated one of the 10 best-mannered U.S. cities by etiquette expert Marjabelle Young Stewart.

"Our local hospitality industry prides itself on Hollywood’s hospitable reputation," said Judy A. Erickson, Director of Tourism for the Hollywood Office of Tourism (HOT). "Providing the best possible visitor experience is a key objective of Hollywood's tourism program, and our local businesses often go 'above and beyond' to accomplish this goal."

In all, 158 hospitality employees – including 31 in Hollywood – were nominated for the 2008 awards, which were presented by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) at the Broward County Convention Center Dec. 4.

As a guest service agent at Crowne Plaza Hollywood Beach Resort, Abelina Scanio is constantly making sure guests are enjoying themselves when visiting the area, and she is distinguished by her knowledge of local attractions, shopping areas and restaurants. After an important resort guest mentioned that he enjoyed a particular wine, Scanio went out of her way to purchase a bottle and have it delivered to the guest’s room with a handwritten note during his next visit.

Rohan Wilmot had been promoted to floor technician at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino just a few weeks earlier when his previous department lost five employees. Wilmot took the initiative and did the work of five people, in addition to his own duties, for a period of about three months because, as he put it, "The guests needed it." He single-handedly maintained all of the back-of-the-house processes that otherwise could have compromised the guest experience.

The dedication of these outstanding hospitality employees is "just one of the many reasons we hosted nearly 11 million visitors last year," said Nicki E. Grossman, president of the CVB. "The 2008 SUNsational Service Courtesy Awards give us the opportunity to publicly applaud those front-line employees who have embodied the highest standards of hospitality."

Other Hollywood-area hospitality employees who were nominated for 2008 SUNsational Service Courtesy Awards are:

Donald Carter (front desk manager, Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa); Erik Cremades (pool attendant/chickee hut butler, Seminole Hard Rock); Paul Crump (public works ground crew/welder, Port Everglades); Danny Debose (front desk, Dave & Buster's); Elena DeFigueroa (president, Holly Trolley Inc.); Tim Ehrlick (public works ground crew/welder, Port Everglades); Jean Elie (cruise customer service, Port Everglades); Ana Elvir (special events, Dave & Buster's); Marie (Gina) Frederique (housekeeper, Holiday Inn Ft. Lauderdale - Airport); John Glaviano (public works ground crew/welder, Port Everglades); Al Guadagno (public works ground crew/welder, Port Everglades); Jorge Hernandez (concierge, Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa); Lisa Jackson (operator, Seminole Hard Rock); Lori Kilgore (department head, Dave & Buster's); Gaelle Lissade (front desk/reservations supervisor, Ramada Hollywood Beach Resort); Barbara Lunny (Director of Catering, Hollywood Beach Marriott); Lynn McCorkle (VIP coordinator, Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa); Kareem McCronce (public works ground crew/welder, Port Everglades); Dannielle Norius (guest services representative, Days Inn Hollywood); Bhrrat Persaud (public works ground crew/welder, Port Everglades); Ganesh Ramnarine (public works ground crew/welder, Port Everglades); Karen Rech (cruise customer service, Port Everglades); William Rivera (maintenance engineer, Holiday Inn Ft. Lauderdale - Airport); Lourdes Salazar (executive administrative assistant, Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa); Tina Stiles (IBT group sales manager, Crowne Plaza Hollywood Beach Resort); Bridget Vallee (executive concierge, Seminole Hard Rock); Marie Lisa Vera (concierge, Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa); Ottilie Wagner (volunteer airport ambassador, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport); and Peterson Warburton (security officer, Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa).

Attn Editors: Color photography available.

About Hollywood, Florida
Situated between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Hollywood, Florida, the 2007 All-America City and one of Fodor's 2009 "Best Beaches for Families," is a desirable year-round destination offering more than 5,000 hotel rooms at a variety of hotels, resorts and Superior Small Lodgings. Minutes away from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Miami International Airport and home to Port Everglades, the largest cruise port in the world, Hollywood visitors enjoy seven miles of Blue Wave beaches; a two-and-a-half-mile European-style Broadwalk lined with cafés, restaurants, boutique and full-service hotels and resorts as well as vacation apartments facing the ocean; a revitalized Historic Downtown Hollywood and new ArtsPark at Young Circle; and an array of activities including first-class shopping, waterfront, nature and dining experiences. For more information about Hollywood, FL, contact the Hollywood Office of Tourism at (877) 672-2468 or visit www.visithollywoodfl.org.