Our Annual Meeting & Awards Celebrated the Hospitality Industry Workforce
By Rachel Huffman
Visitors and residents alike can agree that it’s the hard-working hospitality professionals who make St. Louis a world-class destination. This year, at Explore St. Louis’ Annual Meeting & Awards, we celebrated the vibrancy and resilience of St. Louis travel, tourism, meetings and events, as well as the outstanding accomplishments of our All Stars, Hospitality Superheroes and Hospitality Heroes.
In this fiscal year (July 2021 to June 2022) alone, St. Louis’ tourism assets have grown to include The Factory, a live music venue in Chesterfield; the Food Hall at City Foundry in Midtown; and the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race at World Wide Technology Raceway. The arts scene in St. Louis also reached new heights with the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis-commissioned Fire Shut Up in My Bones, which opened the 2021 season at The Metropolitan Opera in New York, followed by the world premiere of STAGES St. Louis’ production of The Karate Kid – The Musical at the newly opened Kirkwood Performing Arts Center.
Event activity at America’s Center improved sharply over the year prior, as well. The convention complex hosted 52 events, including the WWE’s Royal Rumble and the opening of The Rolling Stones tour, generating more than 185,000 contracted room nights and attendance of 395,034 people.
For more information about our achievements as an industry in FY22, check out our annual report.
“Our hard work is for naught if we don’t have our top leaders engaged in what our industry does for our community,” Explore St. Louis president Kathleen “Kitty” Ratcliffe said in the meeting.
We are lucky in this case, as Mayor Jones and County Executive Page support our efforts to propel the local travel and tourism industry forward. Both spoke at the meeting, sharing their pride in St. Louis.
Travel & Tourism Champion Award
To honor Senator Roy Blunt and congratulate him on his retirement, Explore St. Louis presented an award recognizing him for his tireless support of the travel and tourism industry in St. Louis and across the state of Missouri.
Kim Tucci Heart of St. Louis Award
Board members of the St. Louis Civic Pride Foundation created the Kim Tucci Heart of St. Louis Award to honor the man who devoted his life to making St. Louis a better place.
“While few can or will match Kim’s boundless heart, energy, passion and talent, this award recognizes St. Louisans who best embody his spirit and, by their selfless efforts, lift our community and serve our people,” David Robert, chairman of the St. Louis Civic Pride Foundation, said in the meeting.
This year’s recipient, Robert F. O’Loughlin of Lodging Hospitality Management, has lived in St. Louis for almost 40 years, working every day to improve the area for both residents and visitors. Some of his many projects have saved historic places and given them new life, including The Cheshire, Westport Plaza and St. Louis Union Station, where he also brought us the St. Louis Aquarium and The St. Louis Wheel. O’Loughlin’s generosity is boundless. Recently, he provided hotel rooms for people who had to evacuate their homes due to flooding, and he is the primary donor for a new athletic training center on the Saint Louis University campus.
All Stars
“St. Louis is filled with giving people who want the best for their community,” Ratcliffe said in the meeting. “From time to time, we have individuals and/or organizations that really step up to help us achieve something that we couldn’t have done alone. These are our All Stars.”
This year, we recognized four groups that made great strides in bringing people and positive attention to the St. Louis area. This year’s All Stars are STAGES St. Louis and the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center for the world premiere of The Karate Kid – The Musical, World Wide Technology Raceway for securing the NASCAR Cup Series race, KSDK for its partnership in broadcasting a live episode of Show Me St. Louis during National Travel and Tourism Week and Lufthansa for establishing direct air service between St. Louis and Frankfurt, Germany.
Hospitality Superheroes
When you travel, the people who you meet can influence your perception of a place, which is why we’re so proud of the 91,000 hard-working hospitality professionals who make the St. Louis visitor experience magical every day.
At the meeting, eight Hospitality Superheroes were spotlighted as impressive examples of extraordinary customer service. We hope that you’re as wowed by them as we are.
Sabitra Bartaula, River City Casino
While working at River City Casino, Sabitra Bartaula noticed a woman struggling in a bathroom stall. Bartaula asked if the woman was OK, but she didn’t answer, so Bartaula immediately contacted security. The woman became incapacitated, but because of Bartaula’s intuition and actions, the woman received the medical attention she needed to save her life.
Tommy Brown, Saint Louis Zoo
When a woman in hospice contacted Tommy Brown about her final wishes, he arranged a behind-the-scenes experience for her and her family at the Saint Louis Zoo. The day included time with the sea lions and lunch, with Brown putting forth the extra effort to make sure everyone had a good time. A few days later, the family notified the Saint Louis Zoo team of the woman’s passing, expressing their gratitude for everything that Brown did for them and their loved one.
Alexandria Dent, St. Louis Lambert International Airport
At St. Louis Lambert International Airport, Alexandria Dent overheard a traveler say that her rings were missing. Immediately offering to help, Dent began to dig through the trash bin where the woman thought she had lost them when she was drying her hands. Dent didn’t stop until she found the rings towards the bottom of the bin, stealthily wrapped in a paper towel. How many people do you know who would riffle through trash for a stranger?
Stephanie Friz, River City Casino
After being notified that a woman had collapsed in the parking lot of River City Casino, officer Stephanie Friz administered CPR, refusing to stop or to allow anyone to take over for her until an ambulance had arrived. A few days later, the woman’s daughter told the casino that her mother had survived due to Friz’s dependability and persistence.
William “Scott” Hunsche, Element St. Louis Midtown
When a group of guests of the Element St. Louis Midtown couldn’t find a nearby place for happy hour, front office manager Scott Hunsche took it upon himself to brighten their night. Hunsche gathered beverages from around the hotel and created a mini bar in the lobby. His story is a prime example of the thoughtfulness of hospitality workers.
Claudia Lombard, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel St. Louis – Westport
Over time, server Claudia Lombard has developed a deep connection to a patient of HavenHouse St. Louis, Havyn, who stays at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel St. Louis – Westport with her family in between treatments. As a testament to their relationship, Havyn was recorded saying that Lombard is her “favorite thing about HavenHouse” – the video later aired at a gala where Havyn received an award.
Brandi Napier, Element St. Louis Midtown
Becoming aware of an unresponsive guest, housekeeper Brandi Napier performed CPR until an ambulance arrived. Napier’s quick thinking saved the guest’s life, and although Napier now works at Kingside Diner, she will always be remembered at the Element St. Louis Midtown.
Loyd Rogers, Sheraton Westport Plaza Hotel
Loyd Rogers, a shuttle driver for the Sheraton Westport Plaza Hotel, goes above and beyond his job description every day. In one instance, Rogers did everything in his power to make sure a guest in a wheelchair was safe and comfortable, including procuring a wheelchair-accessible vehicle to take the guest to the hotel and finding a suitable room for the guest at a neighboring location when the Sheraton Westport Plaza Hotel didn’t have one. With care and hard work, Rogers was able to make another visitor to St. Louis feel valued.
Hospitality Heroes
Hospitality workers have had to overcome innumerable challenges in the last year, and yet, they continue to serve every guest with enthusiasm, expertise and respect. Nominated by their co-workers and employers, the Hospitality Hero honorees exceed all expectations.
Anheuser-Busch Brewery Experience
Carolyn Burton
Scott Zlatic
Bi-State Development – Gateway Arch
Derrick Brooks
Kyle Hensley
Tatiana Jones
Blain McVey
Diamond Morris
Sandy Smith
The Blue Owl Restaurant & Bakery
Mary Hostetter
Butler’s Pantry
Ben Bui
Erica Johnson
Bill Wallheimer
Julie Weldele
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site
Lori Belknap
The Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta Hotel
Brenda Trahan
Crowne Plaza St. Louis Airport
Roberta Cooper
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel St. Louis – Chesterfield
Zeeba Zaman
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel St. Louis – Westport
Berrin Abdullah
Drury Inn & Suites
Kurt Magnah
Drury Inn & Suites Brentwood
Alexander Quinones
Drury Inn & Suites Creve Coeur
SueVona Blocker
Drury Inn & Suites Forest Park
Amos Isaac
Drury Inn & Suites St. Louis Convention Center
Shawnyee Burnett
Drury Inn at Union Station
Latisha Barnes
Diane Hill
Shirley Montgomery
Drury Plaza Hotel at the Arch
Melinda Halford
Element St. Louis Midtown
Lillian Morris
Colisha Robinson
Deszrey Williams
Forest Park Forever
Patricia Calcaterra
Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis
Jessica Fisher
Luke Sinak
Hampton Inn St. Louis – Downtown at the Gateway Arch
Christopher Jackson
Hilton Garden Inn Winghaven
Anita Janes
Hilton St. Louis Airport
Asmeret Bezabeh
Gregory McKenzie
Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark
Wenniel McIemore
Holiday Inn Express & Suites St. Louis South
Dawn Staton
Hollywood Casino & Hotel St. Louis
Tanya Percy
Hyatt Place Chesterfield
Carmen Aguayo
Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch
Nasif Mehmedovic
Roshonda Miller
Katherine Neer
Jordan Rogers
Live! By Loews
Hannah Bryant
Ryan Ebert
Robert Etter
Erica Gilmore
Keith Gowdy
Brian Jackson
Mayscree Jackson
Justin Johnson
Nathen Mullaney
Deanna Swayne
Magnolia Hotel St. Louis
Pam Robtoy
Marriott St. Louis Airport
Thomas Berry
Marriott St. Louis Grand
Mackenzie Anderson
Kay Barnett
Kossuth Barnett
Tunya Barnett-Finley
Kenisha Bickley
Minnie BoBo
Clay Gerdine
Shyra Huddleston
Michael Jones
Samuel Knox
Tanisha Parker
Ruth Phillips
Eliza Scherer
Marriott St. Louis West
Rhonda Woods
Metro Transit
Michelle Conner
Missouri Botanical Garden
Cassandra Custis
Johanna Fuehne
Marcy Rahn
Greg Rohde
Katie Scharf
Missouri Historical Society
Lincoln Calvin
Denise Smith
Moonrise Hotel
Anna Bogucki
MX Movies & Bar
Matt Sanders
National Blues Museum
Deborah Jackson
Purina Farms
Dale Beste
Red Roof Inn St. Louis
Kathy Young
Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel
Eddie Moore
Residence Inn by Marriott St. Louis Galleria
Tanzania Bates
The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis
Hishar Alissa
Mark Baker
Shawket Barway
Kelly Bock
Margaret Bonfanti
Aaron Cannon
Danielle Doederkvist
Breia Dunning
Ronald Edgeston
Donovan Foster
Terry Gilbert
Gettu Gonnete
Charles Hardy
Felicia Harvey
Almedin Hasanovic
Denise Heflin
Advija Helac
Kenna Herdrich
Timothy Ingoldsby
Alichka Jarrett
Kay Johnson
Sabrina Kapic
Alice Klein
Alicia Lamountain
Carlos Macias De la Torre
Laura Mathis
Nancy McEnroe
Helena McGettigan
Charlene Miller
Juan Morales
Suada Mutapcic
Josephine Page
Saeed Saeed
Taylor Segelle
Maureen Weiser
River City Casino
Nick Dehner
Saint Louis Science Center
Victor Appleby
Dave Gioia
Mike Harris
Jackie Rowark
Saint Louis Zoo
Mike Bobbitt
Mike Butler
Bob Fritschle
Scott Gagen
Sharron Higgs
Amber Lew
Greg Schumacher
Nina Williams
Sheraton Westport Plaza Hotel
Donna Wiggins
St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station
Tylen Gea
St. Louis Lambert International Airport – G2/STL
Richard Holder
Neisha Wiggins
St. Louis Lambert International Airport – HMS/Starbucks
Georgene Spencer
St. Louis Lambert International Airport – Hudson & Associates, LLC
Millie Ocasio
St. Louis Lambert International Airport – Regency Enterprise Service, LLC
Janella Dent
St. Louis Lambert International Airport – Transportation Security Administration
Ciara Baldwin
St. Louis Union Station
Kristina Flowers
John Scott
Tempus
Drew Lucido
Vandalia Bus Lines
Terry Edwards
Finally, we’d like to extend a special thank you to our sponsors, without whom the Annual Meeting & Awards would not be possible.
