(From left) Experience Fayetteville Executive Director Molly Rawn, Stars of the Industry Award nominees Joanna Spencer and Tony Blackburn from the Chancellor Hotel, and Stars of the Industry Award winner Reese Roberts from Bordinos Restaurant
Photo by Jeff Hern
The Arkansas Hospitality Association (AHA) recently recognized 28 representatives of the state’s tourism industry as nominees for the AHA’s annual Stars of the Industry Awards. Four of those finalists work in the Fayetteville tourism industry.
Reese Roberts from Bordinos Restaurant received a Star of the Industry Award in the Hospitality Manager category. Other Fayetteville tourism representatives who were nominated for an award include Tony Blackburn, Chancellor Hotel – Front of the House category; Lester Bunch, Chancellor Hotel – Heart of House category and Joanna Spencer, Chancellor Hotel – Hospitality Manager category.
“There’s an incredible amount of pride in working and living in Fayetteville, and those who work in our hospitality industry let that genuine affinity for our city come through when they serve our customers,” said Molly Rawn, executive director of Experience Fayetteville. “We congratulate all of our nominees on a job well done, and we thank them for being an important tourism driver for our city.”
The annual awards honor employees in the hospitality industry who exceed expectations among their customers and coworkers. Nominees may be in customer-facing roles or behind-the-scenes. Awards also were given for region, hotelier, restauranteur and travel person of the year. The Stars of the Industry Award Gala was part of the AHA’s annual convention, held in Little Rock this year.
