Destination Madison Awards

Celebrating Hospitality and Tourism Excellence

The Destination Madison Awards recognize and celebrate individuals and organizations who exemplify tourism excellence and the spirit of hospitality that defines the Madison area as a world-class visitor destination. Nominations for the 2020 Destination Madison Awards will open this summer with the awards celebration event taking place in the fall.

The 2019 Destination Madison Awards recipients, as well as nominees and the category in which they were nominated, are listed below:

DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENT

Rita Kelliher, Retired President, Madison Festivals, Inc.

SHINING STAR AWARD RECIPIENTS

Food Fight Restaurant Group & Olbrich Botanical Gardens

ADDITIONAL AWARD RECIPIENTS

Rising Star Award: Julianne Lind; Business Development & Event Sales Manager, The Madison Club
Rising Star Student Award: Carolyn Kosabucki; Student, Madison College
Front Line Service Award: Aureliano Montes; General Manager, Canteen
Behind the Scenes Award: Musab Naji; Chief Engineer, Hampton Inn of Madison-East Towne Mall

MEET THE 2019 NOMINEES

RISING STAR NOMINEES

The Rising Star Award recognizes individuals who have been in the industry for less than five years, but have demonstrated excellence in their work endeavors and the potential to become a pivotal figure in the hospitality community. Here are the nominees:

ABBY HALLOW
Hilton Madison Monona Terrace

BRANDON HARMON
Sheraton Madison Hotel

KELLY KAEPPLINGER
Provi

JULIANNE LIND
The Madison Club

CLARK LUBERDA
Clarion Suites at the Alliant Energy Center

KENNEDY MCCARTHY
Short Stack Eatery

KELSEY REMBER
DoubleTree by Hilton Madison

ALYSSA WILKINS
The Edgewater Spa
 

RISING STAR STUDENT NOMINEES

The Rising Star Student Award recognizes the next generation of hospitality professionals who are pursuing a degree in the hospitality and/or tourism industry at an accredited university, college or community college in the greater Madison area. Here are the nominees:

TREVONE IRBY
School: Madison East High School
Degree Program: Liberal Arts - Madison College
Employer: Best Western Premier Park Hotel

DANI KAUN
School: Madison College
Degree Program: Hospitality Management
Employer: Aldo's Cafe

JADE KOLSTE
School: Madison College
Degree Program: Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management
Employer: Pig in a Fur Coat

CAROLYN KOSABUCKI
School: Madison College
Degree Program: Hospitality Management
Employer: FPC Live

SAMUEL PECK
School: Madison College
Degree Program: Hospitality Management
Employer: The Madison Concourse Hotel & Governor's Club

AMERICA SILVA SANCHEZ
School: Madison College
Degree Program: Hospitality Management
Employer: Madison College - Events
 

FRONT LINE SERVICE NOMINEES

The Front Line Service Award recognizes the dedication and service excellence of employees who provide service directly to guests. Here are the nominees:

INDRA (KELLY) CHUNULAL
Hyatt Place Madison/Verona

HARRY CYBUL
Sheraton Madison Hotel

KATIE GENRICH
DoubleTree by Hilton Madison

SHERRI GREGORICH
Hilton Madison Monona Terrace

RACHEL GUNN
Hilton Madison Monona Terrace

ALINE KALAR
The Edgewater

BRADIN KRAHENBUHL
The Edgewater

WILTON MARTIN
Hilton Madison Monona Terrace

KENNEDY MCCARTHY
Short Stack Eatery

AURELIANO MONTES
Canteen

MARK MUELLER
Monona Catering

MYRON PETTIES
The Edgewater

KIP ROSENTHAL
Best Western Premier Park Hotel

SONJA SUMMERFIELD
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Madison East
 

BEHIND THE SCENES SERVICE NOMINEES

The Behind the Scenes Service Award recognizes the dedication and service excellence of employees who work out of public view. Here are the nominees:

JIM ALBRECHT
The Edgewater

MAGGIE CARRANZA
Residence Inn by Marriott - Madison West/Middleton

PAUL HART, MARK PHILLIPS, RYAN SCHMANDT
Schuster's Playtime Farm Haunted Forest

NANCY HOFFMAN
University of Wisconsin-Madison

RYAN KIRBY
Nitty Gritty

VANESSA LIKELY
SERRV

MUSAB NAJI
Hampton Inn of Madison - East Towne Mall

ANGELA NELSON
DoubleTree by Hilton Madison

GIOVANNI NOVELLA
Bar Corallini

PAUL OLIVERSEN
Hilton Madison Monona Terrace

EDILBERTA ROSAS HIDALGO
Hilton Madison Monona Terrace

KATE SCHOMMER
Short Stack Eatery

RON TAYLOR
The Edgewater

ANNA TOLLE
Short Stack Eatery
 

DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT NOMINEES

The Distinguished Achievement Award recognizes a professional who has distinguished him/herself in the hospitality and tourism industry. Here are the nominees:

KATIE GENRICH
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Madison

RITA KELLIHER
Madison Festivals, Inc.

DR. LYNEA LAVOY
Madison College

HEATHER STETZER
HotelRED

MICAYLA ZAPATA
Monona Catering
 

SHINING STAR NOMINEES

The Shining Star Award recognizes businesses and organizations for exceptional achievements. Here are the nominees:

CAVE OF THE MOUNDS

CLEAN LAKES ALLIANCE

FOOD FIGHT RESTAURANT GROUP

KEVA SPORTS CENTER

OLBRICH BOTANICAL GARDENS

SCHUSTER'S PLAYTIME FARM

Destination Madison Awards :: June 25, 2019

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PRESENTING SPONSOR

Food Fight Restaurant Group Logo

EVENT DESIGN SPONSOR

Chance Productions 2019 DMA Sponsor

Questions? Contact events@visitmadison.com.