Nominate, Nominate and Nominate!
PHILIPSBURG – The 11th annual Crystal Pineapple Awards Fundraising Gala, organized by the St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA), officially opened their nomination period on Monday September 5. The time to nominate ends on Friday, September 30.
The Award Ceremony is scheduled to be held on Saturday, November 19, at the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino starting at 7:00pm. The 11th edition of the Award ceremony will incorporate national elements, which showcase the beauty and uniqueness of the island, focusing on the branding of St. Maarten.
Each year employers and the general public are requested to nominate persons in various categories. These employees are grateful and appreciative to be recognized by the community and their employers. Every year, these nominees open their hearts to SHTA personnel for doing such an event where they are highly recognized for their professional contribution.
“It was a privilege to be ‘a vacation consultant,’ not a salesperson. Receiving the recognition was a milestone in my 35-year long career in the hospitality industry,” said winner of Outstanding Performance in Sales (Timeshare) Ingrid Bosnie.
The Crystal Pineapple Awards is a great opportunity for employers from all industries to show their outstanding employees how much they value them, by nominating them for the various categories. Many companies use this event every year to recognize their top performers during this special and exciting gala event.
“When I found out I was nominated I was thrilled. It is such an honor to be considered for the Crystal Pineapple Awards. Aqua Mania Adventures makes an effort to make every staff member feel appreciated, but to receive island wide recognition, that is simply amazing! I am a proud winner and have the award on my desk for everyone to see. I feel like every employer should make an effort to recognize their outstanding staff members, and there is no better way than by receiving a nomination for the Crystal Pineapple Awards!” stated winner of the Trade sector: Salesperson of the Year Kathleen Rogers.
This year SHTA has added a new category: “Taxi/Tour person of the year” to the list. Tour guides and/or taxi drivers are often the first friendly face island visitors encounter, therefore they deserve the recognition from the Hospitality and Tourism Industry. As with all the categories, employers and the public are asked to nominate in full force.
In addition to aforementioned award, the following categories are open for nominations:
ACCOMMODATIONS DIVISION: Employee and Manager of the year;
RESTAURANT DIVISION: Employee, Chef, Bartender of the year;
TRADE: Employee, and Manager of the year;
SPECIAL AWARDS: Outstanding Community Service Achievement, Best Customer Service Rep, Taxi/Tour person of the year, Entertainer of the Year and Sales person Of the year.
The nomination period closes September 30, and the voting period will commence shortly after. “Send in nominations as soon as possible before the closing date!” SHTA said in a release.
The nomination form and category qualifications can be found online on the SHTA website:
www.shta.com/events/crystalpineappleawards. In addition, the general public is encouraged to visit Facebook: “Crystal Pineapple Awards.” For more information, contact the SHTA office at: 542-0108, or e-mail: office@shta.com.
