Visitors bureau opens nominations for annual Haley honors

Visit Sarasota County, Sarasota County’s official tourism bureau, will accept nominations through Aug. 28 from all local hospitality and tourism businesses to celebrate their star employees, volunteers and leaders for the next annual Haley Hall of Fame Awards. 

The award is named for former VSC President Virginia Haley, who was herself selected for induction into Destinations International's Hall of Fame, one of the highest honors in the destination marketing profession.

“Our Haley Hall of Fame Awards celebrate the real talent and heart behind our tourism economy and the communities they create, just as Virginia did during her many years of service to our industry,” said VSC President and CEO Erin Duggan in a news release. “Every nominee embodies the excellence and care that set Sarasota County apart, qualities our visitors remember and return for again and again.”

 Categories for the Haley Hall of Fame are:

• Management Excellence: A manager or supervisor who demonstrates a significant positive impact on staff while also mentoring their team to inspire memorable experiences to visitors.
• Front Line Excellence: A non-management employee who continually demonstrates outstanding customer service to visitors.
• Heart of the House Excellence:  A behind-the-scenes, non-management employee who is committed to providing quality service within the organization.
• Volunteer Excellence: An individual who continually enriches the visitor experience through volunteer service.
• Rising Star: An emerging leader who exhibits ongoing contributions and exceptional growth within the tourism and hospitality industry. 
• Legacy Star: A long-time leader who actively contributes to the local tourism and hospitality industry through leadership and mentorship. 
• Business Excellence: An organization that acts as a champion for strengthening hospitality and furthering connections in the industry and community.
• Regional Collaborator: An organization outside of Sarasota County that advances the tourism and hospitality industry through regional collaboration.

Local businesses may submit nominations now through Aug. 28 at bit.ly/haleyawards. All nominees will be notified in early fall, and the awards celebration will be at VSC’s Indicators and Insights Summit on Nov. 19 at Art Ovation Hotel. Early-bird tickets and sponsorships are on sale at bit.ly/VSCSummit.