“Laura is a big reason my husband and I always pick Hilton Garden Inn when we come to Augusta. She goes out of her way to make our stay exceptional”, said Eileen from Wesley Chapel, Florida. That’s just one example of how visitors feel about the 2020 winners of the Masters of Hospitality awards.
The Masters of Hospitality program allows visitors to nominate frontline hospitality staff for providing excellent customer service. Hotels and attractions participate in the program by displaying Masters of Hospitality materials which allow a visitor to write a postcard to the Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau describing the way in which they received great customer service.
Each nominee receives their own Masters of Hospitality Green Jacket pin which is a symbol of excellence and great achievement. In addition to receiving their own Green Jacket pins of hospitality, category winners are recognized each year during National Travel and Tourism Week. While this year’s recognition ceremony is dampened by COVID-19 we salute them online for their great work and valued contribution to the hospitality industry.
2020 Masters of Hospitality Winners
- Laura Wagner, Hilton Garden Inn, Hotel Employee with the most nominations
- Louise Blaylock, Attraction Employee with the most nominations
- Hilton Garden Inn, Full Service Property with the most employees nominated
- Holiday Inn Express Downtown, Limited Service Property with the most employees nominated
In the nomination year of April 30, 2019 to April 30, 2020 there were 305 nominations received and 15 properties participating. Please see a roll call of nominated Masters of Hospitality below:
Full-Service Hotels
Doubletree
Willie Nero • Susan Glenn • Kyle • Addy • Sheri Wright • Cyndreke • Walton McKinnley • Vernell • John
Hilton Garden Inn
Ella Mae Mays • Maxine Taylor • Laura Wagner • Ganthia Watts • Tara • Alisa
Brittany • Tyree • Tiffany Arnold • Tito Warren • Tiffany Creasy • All Staff
Jessie • BeYoung Ryans • Tara Vaughn • Angie Rodriguez • Adriana Brunson • Tonia Folsom • Kylie • Stephanie • Prisilla • Angie • Christine • John
Hyatt House Downton
Kiyandi Johnson • Raven Allen • Samantha Niang • Stacy Brown • Tracy Rompkins • David Whittke
Sheraton Augusta
Emma Stidons • Howard W • Brianna • Timothy • Angela • Donna • Yvenne Alexander • Cyrstyne • Taylor • Tripp Price • Walton McKinnley • Dwight • DeAndre Culbert • Christine
Limited-Service Hotels
Candlewood
Ebony • Tabatha • MT in Maintenance • All Candlewood Staff
ECCO
Mathew • Deborah • Kimberly • Lacey • Kayla • Danny • Meghan
Econolodge Downtown Augusta
Synethia
Fairfield Augusta Washington Road
Rhonda • Ms. Jones • Brandy • Chris • Tyann
Hampton Inn & Suites
Hope • Ganesh • Felicia • Lisa • Andrea
Holiday Inn Express Downtown
Phoenicia Glenn • Darrell Harris • Kelvin Jones • Kenya • Kimberly Frank • Keyon • Nikki • Jeffery Williams • All Holiday Inn Staff
Home2 Suites
Kaleb • Marquel Jones • Brian Gilchrist • Jim Quance
Red Roof
Kisha • Carnetta • Chana • Roushana
Rodeway Inn
Dee Darden • April • Victoria/Vicky • All Rodeway Staff
Attractions
Augusta Canal
Louise Blaylock • Ginny • Capt. Tony • Holly
The Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau applauds all of the winners and nominees and thanks them for being a key to Augusta success and world-wide reputation for the ability to roll out the red carpet and make everyone feel welcome. Congratulations 2020 Masters of Hospitality Nominees!
*Annually during National Travel and Tourism Week we recognize tourism industry employees who go out of their way to make one's visit to Augusta a great one with our Masters of Hospitality program. All nominations are submitted by visitors that stay at local hotels and/or visit local attractions.
Author
Sarah Childers
Sarah is the Experience and Community Development Manager at Destination Augusta. She lives in North Augusta and since moving here in 2004 has fallen in love with Augusta's River Region, especially the areas to explore "below the 20." That's I-20 to you locals!
