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:
