THE 16th ANNUAL VAN NESS BUTLER JR. HOSPITALITY AWARD
Recognizing Walton County Hospitality Excellence
Visit South Walton is accepting nominations for the annual Van Ness Butler Award.
Deadline for nomination submission: Friday March 29, 2019
Info & Form
This annual hospitality award was established in 2003 by the Walton County Tourist Development Council (Walton County TDC) to encourage and recognize excellence in hospitality service, travel/tourism marketing, advertising, promotion, and contributions to the local community. The award honors the legacy of service embodied by the Van Ness Butler family who acquired the land now known as Grayton Beach in 1922. The Butler family built the Grayton Beach Hotel, and through their family’s passion, determination and energy, truly defined Grayton Beach and set the stage for the tourism industry. Following his grandfather’s legacy, Van Ness Butler, Jr. served as the first chairman of the WCTDC, as interim executive director for two years and continued to serve the Tourist Development Council for more than 13 years. This award also honors the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame inductees and pioneers of Walton County’s hospitality and tourism industries.
Nominees for the Van Ness Butler Jr. Hospitality Award are judged on their initiative, merits and innovation in achieving organizational success and on working with other community businesses or organizations to enhance Walton County’s local, national or international standing as a travel destination.
Announcement of the Van Ness Butler Jr. Hospitality Award winner will be made at the Walton County TDC’s Annual Meeting during National Travel and Tourism Week celebrations.
AWARD CONCEPT/CRITERIA:
1. Nomination is open to any person residing or working in Walton County who has been an outstanding force in promoting tourism and hospitality in Walton County.
2. Eligible employees work in hospitality service, travel/tourism marketing, advertising or promotion at businesses or organizations including area accommodations, attractions, eco-tourism activities, retail shops, art galleries, restaurants, transportation or online travel guides AND have made significant contributions to the local community.
3. Entries will cite the individual who consistently strengthens the South Walton brand in the tourism marketplace and works to enhance South Walton’s standing as a travel destination. All entries become property of the Walton County TDC.
4. Anyone may nominate an individual and an individual may nominate himself or herself. The electronic nomination form must contain the full name, position, contact information and signature of the person nominating.
5. The Walton County TDC staff will record and process the entrants, verifying the nominee as a member of Walton County’s tourism or hospitality industry.
6. The nominees will be reviewed and scored by the TDC Advisory Board.
NOMINATING INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Individuals or anyone familiar with the nominee’s accomplishments may submit the person or business for consideration.
2. The complete and signed Nomination Form must accompany the application.
3. The application should include a short biography (no more than 150 words) of the nominee as well as a summary description of the qualifying nominee’s accomplishments which support the nomination.
4. An electronic version of the completed application must be sent to Lisa Foster via email at: Lisa@VisitSouthWalton.com Supporting or substantiating attachments are permissible so long as they relate to the qualifying criteria.
5. Submissions for the Van Ness Butler Jr. Hospitality Award will close March 29, 2019. For questions, please contact: Lisa Foster 850.267.1216 x. 8512 Lisa@VisitSouthWalton.com
Click here to nominate an individual who has made significant contributions to tourism in Walton County.
Award Recipients
Recognizing Walton County Hospitality Excellence
Visit South Walton is accepting nominations for the annual Van Ness Butler Award.
Deadline for nomination submission: Friday March 29, 2019
Info & Form
This annual hospitality award was established in 2003 by the Walton County Tourist Development Council (Walton County TDC) to encourage and recognize excellence in hospitality service, travel/tourism marketing, advertising, promotion, and contributions to the local community. The award honors the legacy of service embodied by the Van Ness Butler family who acquired the land now known as Grayton Beach in 1922. The Butler family built the Grayton Beach Hotel, and through their family’s passion, determination and energy, truly defined Grayton Beach and set the stage for the tourism industry. Following his grandfather’s legacy, Van Ness Butler, Jr. served as the first chairman of the WCTDC, as interim executive director for two years and continued to serve the Tourist Development Council for more than 13 years. This award also honors the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame inductees and pioneers of Walton County’s hospitality and tourism industries.
Nominees for the Van Ness Butler Jr. Hospitality Award are judged on their initiative, merits and innovation in achieving organizational success and on working with other community businesses or organizations to enhance Walton County’s local, national or international standing as a travel destination.
Announcement of the Van Ness Butler Jr. Hospitality Award winner will be made at the Walton County TDC’s Annual Meeting during National Travel and Tourism Week celebrations.
AWARD CONCEPT/CRITERIA:
1. Nomination is open to any person residing or working in Walton County who has been an outstanding force in promoting tourism and hospitality in Walton County.
2. Eligible employees work in hospitality service, travel/tourism marketing, advertising or promotion at businesses or organizations including area accommodations, attractions, eco-tourism activities, retail shops, art galleries, restaurants, transportation or online travel guides AND have made significant contributions to the local community.
3. Entries will cite the individual who consistently strengthens the South Walton brand in the tourism marketplace and works to enhance South Walton’s standing as a travel destination. All entries become property of the Walton County TDC.
4. Anyone may nominate an individual and an individual may nominate himself or herself. The electronic nomination form must contain the full name, position, contact information and signature of the person nominating.
5. The Walton County TDC staff will record and process the entrants, verifying the nominee as a member of Walton County’s tourism or hospitality industry.
6. The nominees will be reviewed and scored by the TDC Advisory Board.
NOMINATING INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Individuals or anyone familiar with the nominee’s accomplishments may submit the person or business for consideration.
2. The complete and signed Nomination Form must accompany the application.
3. The application should include a short biography (no more than 150 words) of the nominee as well as a summary description of the qualifying nominee’s accomplishments which support the nomination.
4. An electronic version of the completed application must be sent to Lisa Foster via email at: Lisa@VisitSouthWalton.com Supporting or substantiating attachments are permissible so long as they relate to the qualifying criteria.
5. Submissions for the Van Ness Butler Jr. Hospitality Award will close March 29, 2019. For questions, please contact: Lisa Foster 850.267.1216 x. 8512 Lisa@VisitSouthWalton.com
Click here to nominate an individual who has made significant contributions to tourism in Walton County.
Award Recipients
- 2017: Lino Maldonado
- 2016: Jennifer Steele
- 2015: Mike Ragsdale
- 2014: Jeanne Dailey
- 2013: Malcolm Patterson
- 2012: MC Davis
- 2011: Michael Adkinson
- 2010: Keith Howard
- 2009: Walton County Commissioners (Scott Brannon, Sara Comander, Larry Jones, Cecilia Jones, Kenneth Pridgen)
- 2008: Johnny Earles
- 2007: Pat Potter
- 2006: Robert Davis
- 2005: Don McQuade
- 2004: Joann Saucier
- 2003: Van Ness Butler Jr.
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