The Southern Kentucky Hospitality Association hosted its second annual Star Awards on Jan. 9 at the Sloan Convention Center.

Eighteen awards were given to local hospitality and tourism industry employees, representing the association’s 40 plus membership.

Members nominated staff based on performance and community involvement.

Awards given include: Best Breakfast Attendant, Reggie McGee, Fairfield Inn & Suites; Best Chef, Crystal Lokey, Hilton Garden Inn; Food & Beverage Star: Sheila Goodwin, Embassy Suites; Attraction Frontline Star, Kharma Brunett, Traveler’s Cellar Winery; Hotel Front of House Star, Kim Bynes, Courtyard Marriott; Best Housekeeper, Linda Sowell, Candlewood Suites; Best Houseman, Izeta Memic, Candlewood Suites; Best in Laundry, Zoila Hernandez, Embassy Suites; Above & Beyond Award, Diane Mooneyhan, Fairfield Inn & Suites; Maintenance Engineer Star, Larry Suddeth, National Corvette Museum; Star Mentor, Adam Carr, Candlewood Suites; Best Hospitality Professional, Darki Grgic, Candlewood Suites; Best Tourism Professional, Nick Gonzalez, Holiday Inn Express; Emerging Star Leader, Kamaria Smith, Fairfield Inn & Suites; Community Service Star, Ashlee Wilson, Bowling Green Hot Rods; Best Attraction Volunteer, Randy Gould, Historic RailPark & Train Museum; Rich Patterson Lifetime Achievement Award (offered to hoteliers only), Leon Volkert, Bowling Green hotel icon with 60 plus years in the hospitality management business; and Dallas Jones Lifetime Achievement Award (offered to attractions only), Wendell Strode, retired executive director of the National Corvette Museum.

More than $70 million a year is spent at area hotels, restaurants and attractions. Hotels pay room taxes to the City of Bowling Green, Warren County and Bowling Green Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Over $9 million in visitor taxes is distributed back into our community from those annual contributions.

All hospitality related businesses are invited to be part of SKYHA.