Excellent Service in Grand Rapids to be Honored This Thursday

It's not often excellence in service is recognized, is it. If we get bad service at a restaurant, or hotel for example, then we certainly talk about it. We complain, leave a bad tip, whatever, but when a server goes over and above board, maybe we thank them, but that's it.

Experience Grand Rapids and the Kent County Lodging Association are doing something about that, and will celebrate the sixth annual Impacting Hospitality Celebration recognizing outstanding service providers in the Grand Rapids/Kent County hospitality industry through WAVE Awards and Grand Rapids Hometown Champions.

Way Above Visitor Expectations (WAVE) Awards is a program that recognizes outstanding service providers in the Grand Rapids and Kent County hospitality industry in eight different categories.

Congratulation to the 2014 WAVE Award winners. They are:
• Restaurants/Breweries: Kevin Doyle, Terra GR (formerly)
• Lodging 150+ Rooms: Tim Russ, Amway Grand Plaza Hotel
• Lodging Less than 150 Rooms: Ben Rastello*, CTA,Holiday Inn Express Grandville
• Nightlife: Raeanne Lupo, Brewery Vivant
• Transportation: Jon Clark, Runabouts
• Retail & Service: Veronica Aho, CTA, DGRI Safety Ambassador Program
• Attractions/Events: Corey Barton, Grand Rapids Art Museum
• Volunteer in Hospitality: Mark Jastrzembski, Meijer State Games Volunteer

Again, congratulations to the winners, who, along with their employers, will be formally recognized at the Impacting Hospitality Celebration on Thursday Nov. 20 at the Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival. Experience Grand Rapids will also recognize its “Hometown Champions” at the ceremony for their help in bringing conventions to Grand Rapids.