Citygarden lights up St. Louis' downtown core at night.

Hospitality Heroes

Explore St. Louis’ Hospitality Hero Recognition Program is a frontline employee recognition program designed to stimulate and reward exceptional service by hospitality industry employees. Frontliners who best exemplify our industry’s ongoing commitment to great service are nominated and potentially awarded as Hospitality Heroes. Nominations may be submitted by coworkers, managers and even guests of our industry.

Of these heroes, those who go a step farther to WOW a guest by rising to an unexpected occasion and pulling out all the stops to come to a positive and memorable resolution are named Superheroes. Superheroes receive additional recognition in local media and a special video recreating their heroic acts.

All submissions will be judged by a panel of community leaders and customer service experts. The nomination deadline for 2024 will be in July 2024.

All approved Hospitality Heroes and Superheroes will be recognized in the fall during the Explore St. Louis Annual Meeting & Awards.

2023 Hospitality Superheroes

Watch the video below to see the 2023 Superheroes and their “WOW” moments.

Berrin Adbullah was one of Explore St. Louis' Hospitality Superheroes in 2023.

Berrin Abdullah, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel St. Louis – Westport

When a guest, who was running late, struggled to get a ride to the airport due to a connection issue, Berrin Abdullah immediately offered to drive him. The guest was so impressed, he wrote the following review: “Berrin delivered me to the curb at Southwest Airlines. On the way there, I complimented the excellent meals that I had in the restaurant, and she remembered what I ordered! Only an engaged professional would have that attention to detail. I tried to give her gas money but she refused, saying, ‘Anything for a guest!’ WOW! What Service! What Care!"

Rodney Anderson was an Explore St. Louis Hospitality Superhero in 2023.

Rodney Anderson, Courtyard by Marriott St. Louis Downtown/Convention Center

Rodney Anderson does his work with grace, tact and respect for guests as well as his fellow team members. Just as Rodney was heading on a well-deserved vacation, he got a call that a water main break had flooded the basement and left the entire property without water. Rodney dropped everything and spent the next 48 hours – with no sleep – protecting the building’s systems, extracting water, cleaning up, turning off faucets in each of the 165 units and working with the city to restore water while ensuring all other operating systems remained unharmed as a result.

Konner Bryant was an Explore St. Louis Hospitality Superhero in 2023.

Konner Bryant, Hilton St. Louis Airport

When a guest called about an upcoming reservation, Konner Bryant learned that her child, who was traveling with her, was terminally ill. Konner asked about the child’s favorite snacks and activities, and he took it upon himself to purchase some of the child’s favorite things for his St. Louis trip. Konner arranged for the family to be upgraded to a suite, and on his off day, he came in to place the gifts in the room. He even set up a dinner at a Mexican restaurant – their favorite! This kindhearted action is a great example of the hospitality and kindness that Konner exudes.

Ashley Butler was an Explore St. Louis Hospitality Superhero in 2023.

Ashley Butler, Saint Louis Science Center

Ashley is empathetic, and she can anticipate issues. When a family of four arrived at the Saint Louis Science Center, Ashley immediately noticed that they were flustered. When she greeted them and asked how their day was going, Ashley learned that they were going to be late for another attraction, they had planned an activity that was not kid-friendly, and they didn't know what they were doing for dinner. So, she seated them in the on-site OMNIMAX Theater, exchanged their tickets to the other attraction, organized three new kid-friendly activity options, got them a parking discount and suggested family-friendly restaurants that were affordable and near their hotel. She made herself their personal concierge!

Laura Futrell was an Explore St. Louis Hospitality Superhero in 2023.

Laura Futrell, St. Louis Lambert International Airport

An abducted, unaccompanied minor who was classified as “at risk” was being reunited with his family, but the uncle picking him up forgot his identification, a requirement for the release process. Understanding the urgency of the situation, Laura Futrell swiftly took action. Working with the caseworker, she ensured that the necessary arrangements were made to verify the uncle’s identity, and when the caseworker had difficulty finding the boy in the airport, Laura contacted the airline to confirm that his flight had arrived, walked the entire airport to find him and escorted his uncle to the meeting point.

Rodney Holifield was an Explore St. Louis Hospitality Superhero in 2023.

Rodney Holifield, G2 Secure Staff, St. Louis Lambert International Airport

On an unforgettable Christmas night, a passenger relying on a wheelchair found herself and her companion in need of transportation. Amidst the holiday chaos, Rodney Holifield went above and beyond to offer his assistance. After realizing that taxis and rideshares weren’t options on this snowy night, Rodney personally drove the pair through the storm to the Central West End. Rodney went quite literally the extra mile, surpassing the expectations of his role. He defied the notion of “off duty,” recognizing that the true measure of one’s character lies in the willingness to lend a helping hand when it’s most needed.

The sea lions and seals play at the Saint Louis Zoo.

Team Members, Saint Louis Zoo

The Saint Louis Zoo was contacted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation to fulfill a young boy’s dream to be a zookeeper for a day. He and his family came all the way from Virginia for the occasion. The team planned the whole day, guiding the child around the zoo to visit the animals and get up close and personal with the penguins. For lunch, a group of zookeepers visited with the family, the highlight of the boy’s trip. One zookeeper even invited the family to watch a training session with an otter, which wasn’t planned. The boy had an amazing time, and it wouldn’t have been possible without these amazing team members at the Saint Louis Zoo!