On Wednesday evening, the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority (CVA) honored the frontline staff members that keep the hotels, restaurants, stores, and other services that make our lives so much easier, running at the 2021 R.O.S.E. Awards.
Short for Recognition of Service Excellence, the R.O.S.E Awards are a tribute to the “directors of first impression” that we meet almost every day when we are buying lunch, checking in at a hotel, filling up the gas tank, or utilizing any other service. All of these essential individuals work hard to make our lives easier, and the R.O.S.E Awards shine a light on those who inspired someone to nominate them for their impeccable service.
“This is our favorite event of the year,” said Heather Becerra, Chief Marketing Officer for the South Shore CVA. “Everyone’s always so excited to be here, so excited to be a finalist. All their coworkers are here, and their families are here with them. It’s one of the most fun events of the year, and you can really feel that vibe once you get in the room.”
This year’s ceremony included 22 finalists for the R.O.S.E Award, with each offered pre-party pampering at Crown Point’s State of Mind Salon & Day Spa and transportation by Epic Limo Inc.
Joining them were the 15 finalists for the R.I.S.E Award. Standing for Recognition of Industry Success and Excellence, the finalists are previous R.O.S.E award winners and workers holding managerial or ownership roles who still work on the frontlines of service. Concepcion “CC” Gutierrez, Executive Host at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana and veteran of 15 years in hospitality, earned one of those finalist slots.
“What keeps me doing this is the people, I love the people,” she said. “I love the family that I work with at Hard Rock, they’re very welcoming and very good people. And, I love building relationships with my players.”
R.O.S.E and R.I.S.E Award winners each received a gift basket packed with over $1,000 in goodies from local businesses. Some won for their track records of consistent excellence, such as Spencer Newell, General Manager at Schoop’s Hamburgers of Highland.
“I’m extremely grateful, and I’m so glad that they’re doing this to show recognition for those working in the service industry,” Newell said. “Every day we deal with different types of customers, and you have to treat everyone with respect. It’s nice to have the community come together and show they’re glad to have us around.”
Others earned their recognition for a particularly outstanding, or even heroic, interaction. Nicole Jones, general manager at Best Western Northwest Indiana Inn in Hammond, assisted first responders and search & rescue crews in any way she could when a nonverbal child disappeared after leaving the property.
“I’m grateful and excited,” Jones said. “I’d never been nominated for anything until now.”
The full list of R.O.S.E Award winners is: Kristen (Kay) Bright, guest services representative at Hilton Garden Inn of Merrillville, Elyssia Logsdon, security officer at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, Sandy Martinez, sales associate at Eco Chic Boutique in Dyer, Richard Nichols, catering associate at Strack & Van Til of Schererville, Jennifer Schreiber, pharmacist’s assistant at Walgreens in Whiting, Kirk Sladic, lead Bartender at DOC’s Smokehouse & Craft Bar in Dyer, Patrick Wozny, breakfast attendant at Hampton Inn & Suites of Valparaiso, Proselia Walker, cook at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, and YuanYun Zhong, server at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana.
The full list of R.I.S.E winners is: Jon Collette, security ambassador supervisor at Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Milan Kruszynski, port authority director at Hammond Port Authority, Nicole Jones, general manager at Best Western Northwest Indiana Inn in Hammond, Spencer Newell, General Manager at Schoop’s Hamburgers in Highland, Sonia Bailey, executive housekeeper at Fairfield Inn & Suites Fair Oaks Farms, and Joe & Pam Broadway, owners of Trailblazers Bike Barn in Hobart.
South Shore CVA would like to thank all the gift basket sponsors: Albanese Confectionery, Barbara Jean’s Gifts & Gourmet, Beef Jerky Outlet, Bellaboo’s Play & Discovery Center, Chicagoland Popcorn, Chicago White Sox, Chick Fil-A Merrillville, City of Hammond, Cline Avenue Bridge, Culver’s of Merrillville, Deep River Waterpark, DOC’s Smokehouse & Craft Bar, Farmhouse Restaurant at Fair Oaks Farms, Fuzzyline Brewery, Glass America, Golf Now! Chicago, Chicago’s Premier Golf Destination Guide, Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, Hoosier Bat Company, Horseshoe Casino, Indiana Welcome Center Gift Shop, Johnel’s Restaurant, Mascot Hall of Fame, Maxim’s Restaurant, People’s Bank Munster, Pierogi Festival, Pikk’s Tavern, PNW Athletics, Popcorn Festival, Schoop’s Hamburgers – Highlang, Shady Creek Winery, Strack & Van Til, Teibel’s Restaurant, Theo’s Steaks & Seafood, Up Your Alley Bowl, Valparaiso University Athletics, and Vanis Salon & Day Spa.
