Oct 17, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                              

Oct. 17, 2007

CONTACTS: Lee Rose, Katie Meckley, Judi Durant (239)338-3500

Lee County hospitality industry awards

recognizes superb customer service

LEE COUNTY, FL – For dedication to exceptional customer service to achieve business success, 10 workers were saluted by receiving the Elaine McLaughlin Outstanding Hospitality Service Awards at a ceremony in Fort Myers today.

Sponsored by the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB), the program acknowledges employees within the hospitality and allied industries who positively influence a visitor or resident's experience.  The "E" Awards is a collaboration with various local businesses to increase public awareness of, and to encourage and support, the exceptional service excellence being provided by Lee County hospitality professionals.

From 250 nominations, those selected for their excellence in service and dedication included:

         Maxine Ivery, Holiday Inn Fort Myers Beach

         Billy Kirkland, Sara Kramer and Debbie Stice, Billy's Rentals, Sanibel Island

         Joe Verdino, Play'n Hooky Fishing Charter, Fort Myers Beach

         Victor Rodriguez, Costco, Fort Myers

         Kevin Baker, Macaroni Grill, Fort Myers

         Mildred Romero, Koret, Fort Myers

         Francisco Francisco, Triangle Cleaning, Fort Myers

The Honor of Distinction award for best overall representative of outstanding

service for the year went to Connie Elliott, a registered nurse with HealthPark Surgical Services.  Elliott was a passenger on a flight out of Southwest Florida International Airport.  A flight attendant announced that a doctor or nurse was needed for a passenger who had become ill.  The elderly gentleman barely registered a pulse.  Elliott worked to assist this

passenger and recommended the plane make an emergency landing.  This gentleman was traveling with his wife who had Alzheimer's.  After the emergency landing in Atlanta, without hesitation, Elliott made the selfless decision to accompany the couple to the hospital until family could be contacted and travel to Georgia.  By coincidence, the couple's daughter was a former co-worker of Elliott's prior to her relocating to Florida.  The nurse stayed with the elderly gentleman until the family arrived the next day.  The family expressed their heartfelt appreciation of Elliott's nursing skills and compassion in caring for the elderly couple in their time of need.

Named for Elaine McLaughlin, the Lee County VCB's former executive

director, the "E" Awards exemplifies her core belief that providing outstanding customer service is one of the major cornerstones of success for all businesses.  Nomination categories included: Accommodations, Attractions, Restaurants, Retail, Transportation, Good Samaritan, and Other Services/Businesses.  Winners were chosen by a steering committee of business representatives.

"The importance of high level customer service cannot be overstated," said Suya Davenport, VCB executive director.  "Whether they are visitors or local residents, the degree of service a business provides its customers is critical to the business' success or failure.  The recognition these people earned is very well deserved." 

 Sponsors of this year's "E" Awards include The News-Press, Geraci Travel – Ports of Call Cruises & Tours, SunStream Hotels & Resorts, Getaway Marina, Key West Express, and The Veranda restaurant.

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