Hospitality association installs officers, presents awards
The Greater Hot Springs Area Chapter of the Arkansas Hospitality Association recently hosted its annual installation of officers at Courtyard by Marriott in Hot Springs.
The Courtyard by Marriott catering staff prepared a dinner to coincide with honoring some of the leaders in the hospitality industry in the greater Hot Springs area.
New officers for 2019 are Amy Burnett, Oaklawn Racing & Gaming, president; Ashley Albright, Home2Suites, vice president; and Brittany Tucker, Oaklawn, secretary/treasurer.
Leaders in the lodging, travel and restaurant industry were recognized with the following award presentations: Courtyard by Marriot, Golden Key Award, presented to an individual or property for outstanding efforts in lodging for the greater Hot Springs area; Bella Luna, Salut Au Restaurateur Award, presented to an individual or restaurant for excellence in food service for the greater Hot Springs area; Spa-Con, Visit Hot Springs and Garland County Library, Silver Cup Award, presented to an individual or business for outstanding efforts in tourism for the greater Hot Springs area; Cindy Baswell, Spa Running Festival; President’s Award, presented to an individual for many years of dedicated service to the hospitality and tourism industry for the greater Hot Springs area; Todd Gadberry, Mountain Harbor Resort, Cindy DeWitt Award, given posthumously, presented to an individual for continuous service to the hospitality and tourism industry for the greater Hot Springs area; and Jarvis Hall, Student of the Year, given to a student of National Park College.
“The mission of the Arkansas Hospitality Association is to ensure the growth, success, education, and image of the restaurant, lodging, and tourism industries in the State of Arkansas. AHA is the political watchdog for the hospitality industry. It is AHA’s job to monitor legislation pertaining to the industry to make sure it is for the betterment of its members. This, along with the benefits and services offered, helps the bottom line of restaurants, lodging and travel businesses. Dues go directly to protecting our members’ businesses,” a news release said.