The Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association recognized a handful of outstanding members during its 2011 Annual Meeting at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center Thursday morning.
Awards were given to Hotelier of the Year, Jim Eggen of Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts, Restaurateur of the Year, Mike Arakas of Crabby Mike's Seafood, Front Line Employee of the Year, George Clark of Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort, Heart of the House Employee of the Year, Pauline Grate of Arcadian Shores Golf and Hospitality Services Member of the Year, Nancy Brown of Beach Interiors Condo Services.
"Every submission had to make a write up about why this person should win in that category and so our board members went through and chose the most likely candidate," Hailey Baker, with the MBAHA, said.
Bill Hardman, president and CEO for the Southeast Tourism Society, was the keynote speaker. Hardman directs the organization's promotion of travel to the 12 Southeasten states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Hardman highlighted several positive trends seen in the tourism industry in 2011.
"He used a lot of percentages in his example of how we've improved over the past year compared to previous years. He touched on that and how things are definitely looking up for the tourism industry," Baker said.
The MBAHA also focused on events planned for the upcoming year, including Restaurant Week South Carolina 2012 and its Member to Member Business Expo on January 19.
"It's going to feature 105 local businesses where they can showcase what they do and introduce themselves in they're a new business to the Hospitality Association," Baker said.
For a list of upcoming events, click here.
