TCHTA HONOURS EXCELLENCE IN THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS’ HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

PROVIDENCALES, Turks and Caicos Islands: Monday, March 1^st, 2010 – The Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association hosted its second annual Star Award Show at the Beaches Resort & Spa on Thursday February 25^th.

The Star Award Show is an annual event that recognises and celebrates the contributions of those in the hospitality industry through awards in select areas and categories. This year there were 15 categories in total, including the Lifetime Achievement Award which is awarded to an individual who over their lifetime has made a significant difference in the industry and has contributed great accomplishments in the Turks and Caicos Islands. An additional category was added to the line up this year; that of Entertainer of the Year. This title celebrates a person or group displaying the greatest expertise in all aspects of the entertainment field.

Some of the winners were selected by an independent group of judges based on how best suited the nominee was to the criteria outlined for each category. This year the members of the TCHTA were involved in the selection of winners for Hotel; Hotelier and Entertainer of the Year, with the TCHTA Board Members selecting the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.

Caesar Campbell, CEO of the TCHTA noted that “Given the economic climate, we should all strive to ensure that each guest to our Islands receives service levels that exceed their expectations, and each employee within the industry is essential to this goal. We hope that those who were nominated and especially those who’ve received awards will be an inspiration to others. We thank our nominees and winners for working towards making the Turks and Caicos Islands a world class tourism destination!”

The winners of 2009 – 2010 TCHTA Star Awards include:

Bartender of the Year – Norwyn Guthrie, The Somerset Resort on Grace Bay

Housekeeper of the Year – Delia Hernandez, The Regent Palms Resort

Employee of the Year – Christopher Suerte, The Sands Resort at Grace Bay

Supervisor of the Year – Maxime Fleuriot, The Regent Palms Resort

Taxi Driver of the Year – Lige Levais

Allied Member of the Year – Tropical Imaging

Chef of the Year – Lauren Callighen, The Somerset Resort on Grace Bay

Manager of the Year – Leola Rolle, Grace Bay Club Resort

The Heart of Hospitality Award – Rayan Williams, Beaches Resort Villages & Spa

The Ambassador Award – Charles Lerenard, The Windsong Resort

TCHTA Shining Star – Karen Whitt, The Somerset Resort on Grace Bay

Hotelier of the Year – Pierre Beswick, The Sands Resort at Grace Bay

Hotel of the Year – The Regent Palms Resort

Entertainer of the Year – Craig Archibold

The Lifetime Achievement Award – Stan Hartling, The Hartling Group

This year’s special recognition went to David Bowen, Director of Culture, for his commitment to preserving and celebrating the culture of the Turks and Caicos Islands. He made special mention of current local musicians, bands and cabaret artists and noted that these groups and individuals play an essential role in maintaining the Turks and Caicos culture, and in keeping the art of entertainment alive and vibrant in the islands.

Opening remarks were made by Kingsley Been, Permanent Secretary of the Governor’s Office and the keynote speech was delivered by Hugh Fulford, Executive Chairman of the TCI Tourist Board who emphasised that everyone in the tourism industry needs to play on their strengths in order to stay afloat given the economic effect on tourism.

The Star Awards Show included a cultural presentation from students of the Hubert James Primary School as well as entertainment from The Beaches Resort’s entertainment group and musical entertainment by Marvin Hendfield, with music provided by DJ Cliff.

Karen Whitt, President of the TCHTA expressed, “‘Hard work brings success, we’ll settle for nothing less! …We come to shine!’ These words were sung by the students of the North Caicos Hubert James Primary School during their cultural presentation and are so fitting to our theme for this event! It is exciting to note that this year we had more nominations than last. This signifies that our hospitality employees are in tune with the vision of improving our tourism product. This year we have even more sponsors on board as well, not only assisting with the organisation of the event, but also providing gift items to our winners. It is promising to note that our corporate entities value the hard work and effort of our employees and are willing to show their appreciation to the dedicated members of TCI’s main industry. Congratulations to all nominees and especially our winners. You’re all shining stars!”

The TCHTA thanks all those who sponsored and supported the Star Award Show: Beaches Resort Villages & Spa, Graceway IGA, Caicos Pride Products, The Wine Cellar & Bambarra Rum, Island Pride Supermarket, LIME, New Era Petroleum, Security Centre, Royal Jewels, TCI Bank, Tropical Imaging, IslandCom.  Special thanks to all our hotel sponsors, David Bowen, Marvin Henfield, DJ Cliff, Kitch Penn & We Funk Junkanoo, Cheryl-Ann Shand, The Flower Girl, Other People’s Affairs, Precious Memories Forever, Top O’The Cove Deli, TCI Airport Authority, Turks and Caicos Friends of the Arts, the Star Awards organising committee and members of the TCHTA.

Photo: Star Award Winners1 (L to R sitting): Charles Lerenard, Ambassador of the Year; Leola Rolle, Manager of the Year; Monica Neumann of Regent Palms Resort, Hotel of the Year; Lauren Callighen, Chef of the Year; Craig Archibold, Entertainer of the Year.

(L to R standing): Lige Levais, Taxi Driver of the Year; Andy Mann of Tropical Imaging, Allied Member of the Year; Norwyn Guthrie, Bartender of the Year; Rayan Williams, Heart of Hospitality; Maxime Fleuriot, Supervisor of the Year; Karen Whitt, TCHTA Shining Star; Pierre Beswick, Hotelier of the Year; Stan Hartling, Lifetime Achievement Recipient; Christopher Suerte, Employee of the Year; Delia Hernandez, Housekeeper of the Year.

Photo: Star Award Winners2 (L to R): Pierre Beswick, Hotelier of the Year; Stan Hartling, Lifetime Achievement Recipient; Karen Whitt, TCHTA Shining Star; Monica Neumann of Regent Palms Resort, Hotel of the Year.

About the TCHTA

The Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) represents a wide range of members from hotels and resorts to insurance companies and financial service providers, from watersports operators to catering outlets, from taxi drivers to human resources. The Association aims to assist the organsations through networking opportunities, training, promotional activities and representation at all levels of decision-making in the Turks and Caicos Islands and the region.

Contact:

Turks & Caicos Hotel & Tourism Association (TCHTA)

Tel: 649.941.5787

Last week it was the annual fashion show which features many local designers and local models. We were delighted to be asked by Karen (the GM) to come along and help document all the spectacular models and outfits.

A few behind the scenes. Tamie Ford of Tamie Touch makeup was on hand to help. Gorgeous stuff!

Easher and Cortrina backstage – everyone was having a great time.

First down the runway was Katherine – a previous bride of Brilliant by tropicalimaging – cool!

Carolyn – always looking fab – this is her third show!

This was Sydney’s first show, but she did a great job.

The next two outfits by Rose Garland Designs.

Kitchandra was a contestant in Miss Earth a few months back.

During a break in the show the emcee Kimo Tynes made his way to our “spotlight”!!

Back to the show with Cortrina Cooper.

Then during another pause some “other models” showed up on the catwalk!! As well as making sure everything was running smoothly they couldn’t resist a quick “pose”!

Leonie – the restaurant manager.

Roger, who looks after the pool and beach, but was helping out too!

and finally Gordon Lightbourne – next year I think he needs to be “in” the show!

a few more outfits..

A great evening outfit by Jermell Williams.

Another stunning outfit again by Jermell.

and again another show stopper here modeled by Brittney.

Finally some cocktail  and resort evening wear.

A final group shot of all the models, designers and organisers.

Shortly followed by the O’Soleil restaurant team !!

So a big thank you to all the people that helped make this happen, Kimo Tymes the emcee, models Caroline, Lizzie, Jessica H., Kitchandra, Brittney, Easher, Merrick, Melissa, Jessica A, Sydney, Cortina, Katherine, Kazz and Tamiko, designers Rose Garland and Jarmel Williams, makeup artist Tamie Touch, The Haven at the Gansevoort, Blue, Beaches, Cayo Hico and Jennifer Maude as well as the whole Somerset team.