Explore Seattle Southside—the regional destination marketing organization for SeaTac, Tukwila, and Des Moines—last week announced the winners of its second annual Hospitality Heroes awards program.
This year, twelve Hospitality Heroes across a variety of roles in the hotel, retail, and transportation hospitality industry were celebrated for their hard work, selflessness, and contributions to their teams at the annual SEA Luncheon hosted by the Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023.
“Explore Seattle Southside is highlighting how hard-working everyday people make a huge difference in our community,” the organization said.
To underscore the importance of the hospitality sector and the employees who support it in the region, it is worth noting that visitors to Seattle Southside contributed nearly $896 million to the local economy in 2022. Accordingly, tourism provides employment for over 5,000 individuals in Seattle Southside, which equates to one tourism job for every 18 residents. The economic influence of tourism is evident across all our communities, so it is with great pleasure that Explore Seattle Southside honors some of the local leaders who are unquestionably contributing to the success of our region and its communities.
Congratulations to this year’s winners, who were nominated by their teammates and managers to be put forward for the award. And the 2023 Seattle Southside Hospitality Heroes winners are…
- Joyce Hicks: Director of Housekeeping, Seattle Airport Marriott
- Jessica Martinez: Housekeeping Lead, The Museum of Flight
- Carl Carpenter: Banquet Captain, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport
- Andrea Dorris: Food & Beverage Manager, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport
- Wendy Johanson: Food & Beverage Manager, Hilton Seattle Airport
- Celia Ortiz: Housekeeping Lead, The Museum of Flight
- Eric Payne: Station Agent, Sound Transit
- David Goda: Food Server, Hilton Seattle Airport
- Nghi Huynh: Housekeeping Supervisor, Doubletree Suites by Hilton, Seattle Airport-Southcenter
- Robert Gonzales: Banquet Captain, Embassy Suites by Hilton Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
- Sharon Weir: SeaTac Store Manager, Seattle Chocolate
- Sofia Salinas: Lobby Attendant, Embassy Suites by Hilton Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
For full nomination text and bio for each winner, photos, and more information on the program, visit: https://www.seattlesouthside.com/2023-hospitality-heroes/
About Explore Seattle Southside
Explore Seattle Southside (The Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority) has a bold vision to reimagine the way people travel. Established nearly 25 years ago in 1999, Explore Seattle Southside is the destination marketing organization for the cities of SeaTac, Tukwila, Des Moines. Also known as the curiously wonderful destination for exploring the Pacific Northwest, Explore Seattle Southside showcases the Seattle Southside region with pride and imagination as an ideal travel destination for leisure and business travelers to explore Western Washington and as an idyllic place for meeting and event planners to hold their events. Explore Seattle Southside is funded by a Tourism Promotion Area (TPA) assessment and was recognized in 2023—thanks to a commitment to empowering employees and an ambitious vision for the future—as one of Washington State’s Top 100 Best Workplaces.
More info here: https://www.seattlesouthside.com
