Congratulations to the 2024 Award Winners! We were pleased to have over 600 people attend the Stars of the Industry Gala at the Governor's Conference on Hospitality & Tourism in Chattanooga. From outstanding employees to community service, we handed out over 40 awards to the best of the best in our industry. Thank you to all of the nominees for your hard work and dedication to making Tennessee so wonderful.
If you are inspired by our award winners, please come back here next May to help us find our Stars of the Industry for 2025. You can nominate someone you know or nominate yourself or your business. We'll post the full list of categories as well as the link to submit your nomination. We look forwarding to continuing to honor the outstanding individuals and companies that are members of Hospitality Tennessee.
View the full 2024 Stars of the Industry photo gallery here
Outstanding Individual Awards
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Frank Pinnix
Blackman High School
Industry Educator of the Year
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Jenny Hunt
Treasurer/Public Relations Director , Bell Buckle Chamber of Commerce
Women in Hospitality & Tourism
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Seth Martin
Xperia Ocean Journey
Special Recognition Awards
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Tiebreakers
1805 N. Roan St.
Johnson City, TN
Community Service Award: Tourism
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Huey's
1915 Madison Ave.
Memphis, TN 38104
Community Service Award: Restaurant
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Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park
915 Westgate Resorts Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Community Service Award: Lodging
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Meet the Mountains Festival
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Employee Excellence Awards
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Dawn Nasoori
Rutherford County Convention and Visitors Bureau
DMO Employee of the Year - Large
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Tourism Employee of the Year - Small
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Zadaly Placido
Gatlinburg SkyPark
Tourism Employee of the Year - Large
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Wyatt Hill
Puckett's Chattanooga | Grocery & Restaurant
Restaurant Employee of the Year - Independent
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Haywood Johnson
Corky's Ribs & BBQ - Memphis
Restaurant Employee of the Year - Chain
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Kevin Kelly
Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
Restaurant Employee of the Year - Chain
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Judy Palmer
Carnegie Hotel - Johnson City
Lodging Employee of the Year - Small
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Ellen Silva
Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
Lodging Employee of the Year - Large
Industry Leadership Awards
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Brett Stelzer
Xperia Ocean Journey
Tourism Manager of the Year - Small
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Jeff Raabe
See Rock City, Inc.
Tourism Manager of the Year - Large
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Herman Echols
Tiebreakers
Restaurant Manager of the Year - Independent
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Kelly Underwood
Country Cascades Waterpark Resort
Lodging Manager of the Year - Small
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Shannon Helfenberger
Marriott Franklin Cool Springs
Lodging Manager of the Year - Large
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Ryan French
Executive Director & CEO, South Central TN Tourism Association
DMO Director of the Year - Small
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Summer Blalock
General Manager , Xperia Ocean Journey
Tourism General Manager of the Year - Small
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Rebecca Bordenet-French
General Manager, Manchester / Coffee County Conference Center
Tourism General Manager - Large
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Montrel Clinton
Corky's Ribs & BBQ - Memphis
Restaurant General Manager of the Year - Chain
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Sarah Cullum
Ernest Chinese
Restaurant General Manager of the Year - Ind.
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Jeff Miller
Chef, Westin Chattanooga
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Lyne Sands
Owner, Magnolia Manor & Chapel
Lodging General Manager of the Year - Small
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Jeannie Palaganas
General Manager, The Ramsey Hotel & Convention Center
Lodging General Manager of the Year - Large
Best in the Industry Awards
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Journal Communications
6550 Carothers Parkway, Suite 420
Franklin, TN 37067
Allied Partner of the Year
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Old Glory Distillery Company
451 Alfred Thun Rd.
Clarksville, TN 37040
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South Central TN Tourism Association
74 Bob White Drive
Manchester, TN 37355
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Visit Clarksville
25 Jefferson Street Suite 300
Clarksville, TN 37040
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Joe Baker
Old Glory Distillery Company
Tourism Professional of the Year
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Ernie Mellor
Owner & Pitmaster, Hog Wild- Real Memphis BBQ & A Moveable Feast Catering Companies
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Logan Coykendall
President, Hospitality Solutions
