HOTEL MANAGER OF THE YEAR
MAUREEN SHERIDAN - General Manager, Best Western King Charles Inn, Charleston
Bringing twenty years experience to the King Charles, Maureen has lead a team that has made a complete turn-around of the hotel.  She has increased property revenues, increased guest satisfaction scores, and increased Green awareness and initiatives.  Under her leadership, the King Charles has reversed high Trip Advisor negative ratings to receiving the Best Western Director's Award of the top 20% of all Best Westerns, a top 10 Tip Advisor rating and an Expedia Insider Select hotel.   Active in her church, civic activities and serving as a mentor to students, Maureen positioned the property to become one of the first certified Green Hospitality Alliance hotels in the state.

HOSPITALITY EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR 
CHEF MILES HUFF - Culinary Institute of Charleston at Trident Technical College
Teaching foundation culinary courses to hundreds of first year students at the Culinary Institute of Charleston, Chef Huff's easy going manner and quality instruction has helped transition these students from the high school to college setting.  Voted "Best Liked Chef Instructor," Miles counsels and recruits students into the field of culinary arts.  Traveling to every ProStart high school in the state, Miles tireless support of high school students competing in statewide culinary competitions has earned the respect of students and educators statewide.  This past summer, Chef Huff took it upon himself to spend a week training ProStart high school teachers about the nutritional aspects of cooking and baking.  In addition to working with students, Miles volunteers at many community projects, raising the culinary awareness of the Lowcountry of South Carolina.

FRONT OF THE HOUSE HOTEL EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
PATRICK KLEIN - Charleston Marriott Hotel
Beginning as a driver and bell attendant, Patrick has rapidly moved into the At Your Service PBX attendant and now to Front Desk Supervisor.  Always setting the service example, Patrick assists in training new associates and typically regularly receives guest compliments.    One of the most memorable came from a guest who had stayed at the hotel for three weeks while his father was in intensive care at MUSC.  Upon the father's death, the guest returned to the hotel to be surprised with milk, cookies, and a sympathy card signed by the entire staff, all coordinated by Patrick.  Customer service beyond expectation!

FRONT OF THE HOUSE RESTAURANT EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR 
BERNITA DAYSE - Charleston Crab House Restaurant, Charleston
It is always said, everyone is replaceable.  John Keener, owner of the Charleston Crab House says it is doubtful Mrs. B, as she is called, will be easy to replace.  Serving as the Crab House's head server, Bernita also serves as a trainer, mama, life coach, and the epitome of Southern Hospitality to the restaurant's customers and other employees.  Running circles around other employees half her age, Bernita not only takes care of her section, she makes sure all the guest in the restaurant are well taken care of as well.  In addition to working full time, Bernita has two children and two grandchildren that she helps care for.  Willing to do anything to when needed, from washing dishes to cooking, Bernita goes beyond by helping others with life problems.  As Keener concludes, we are all better for knowing Bernita Dayse.

GOOD EARTHKEEPING AWARD
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS & SUITES HOTEL - Mt. Pleasant
The first hotel in South Carolina to receive the Three Palmetto designation from the Green Hospitality Alliance for their sustainable business practices, the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, Mt. Pleasant is also the first hotel in the state of South Carolina to apply for LEED certification.  Batson Hewitt, one of the owners of the hotel says the extra cost of building an environmentally friendly hotel could be recouped with utility savings in less than 10 years, but it also gives the hotel a marketing edge as it tries to lure business travelers during the week and tourists on the weekend.