Lee hospitality industry lauds superb customer service

For dedication to exceptional customer service, 10 workers, along with two local residents, received the Elaine McLaughlin Outstanding Hospitality Service Awards.

Sponsored by the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau, the program acknowledges employees in the hospitality and allied industries who positively influence a visitor's or resident's experience. The "E" Awards are a collaboration with various local businesses to increase public awareness of, and to encourage and support the exceptional service being provided by Lee County hospitality professionals.

From 352 nominations, those selected for their excellence in service and dedication included: Denise Desir, Sundial Beach & Golf Resort, Sanibel Island; Terry and Keith Felder, SeaRocket USA, Fort Myers Beach; Cheryl Zubrycky, HMS Host Marriott; Daisy Villanueva, Miromar Outlets, Estero; Carol Marshall, Pine Island Taxi, Pine Island; Todd Smith, Colonial Bank, Bonita Springs; and Todd DeVries, Ron Seals, and Tim Wilton, Realmark Management Services, Cape Coral.

"High-level customer service is essential to repeat business," said Suya Davenport, VCB executive director. "Whether they are visitors or local residents, the degree of service a business provides its customers is critical to the business' success or failure. The recognition these people earned is very well deserved."

The Honor of Distinction award for best overall representative of outstanding service for the year was given to Mitch and Myrna Howard of Alva. Although these local residents do not work in the tourism industry, their generosity with someone in true need exemplified the spirit of hospitality.

Named for former Lee County VCB executive director Elaine McLaughlin, the "E" Awards exemplify her core belief that providing outstanding customer service is one of the major cornerstones of success for all businesses. Nomination categories included: accommodations, attractions, restaurants, retail, transportation, good Samaritan and other services/businesses. Winners were chosen by a steering committee of business representatives.