Visit Sebring Announces 2024 Winner’s Circle Tourism Award Winners
SEBRING, Fla. (Sept. 27, 2024) – On Sept. 25, Visit Sebring/Highlands County Tourist Development Council (TDC) awarded this year’s Winner’s Circle Tourism Awards to recipients in eight categories. The awards recognize individuals, teams, businesses, and organizations who serve visitors in Highlands County and exceed expectations by going above and beyond their typical, everyday duties.
Through their performance and actions, they create situations that resulted in happy, grateful, surprised and delighted visitors. These tourism ambassadors are typically the first interaction with our community that tourists have, so it is only fitting for them to be recognized for their important contributions to Highlands County’s local tourism industry.
Online nominations were submitted earlier this year to recognize performance taking place in 2023. Judging was done by an independent panel of judges from outside of Highlands County. This year’s winners are as follows:
Hotel Service Champion: Sophie Holland, Inn on the Lakes
Her nomination read, Sophie’s rapid growth and development into a key front desk agent are a testament to her eagerness to learn, adapt, and excel in her role. She has become a familiar face at the hotel, and she is known personally by many guests who return not just for the amenities but for the warm, personalized service Sophie provides. The numerous thank-you cards and positive reviews left by guests are a testament to her impact and are indicative of her role in encouraging repeat visits and generating positive word-of-mouth for our establishment. Her commitment to excellence in hospitality serves as an inspiration to her peers and sets a benchmark for quality service in the tourism sector.
Attractions Service Champion: Randee Baker, Wet Dogs Brewing
Randee has greatly contributed to the inviting atmosphere of Wet Dogs Brewing, providing exceptional customer service to all who pass through the door. She is valued for her dedication to providing not only stellar customer interaction but helping to position the establishment and our destination itself to make the best of impressions. She uses her beer insights to match the customer with what they want, whether they are new crafties or beer connoisseurs. Randee works proactively to make sure the property is kept to the highest standards, all the while engaging with customers to ensure they have a great experience.
Restaurant Service Champion: Cindy Pollaro, The 301 & Sugar Sand Distillery
Cindy came to this role as a freshly retired middle school teacher looking for her next phase in life and has excelled with her excitement and understanding of The 301’s operations as she interacts with our customers. As a Brand Ambassador, she interacts with each person that comes through the door in a positive and welcoming manner. One reviewer wrote, “had a nice spirit tasting with Cindy the morning following our stay. She is very knowledgeable and guided us through the process. Well-worth the trip off the highway!”
Sports Champion: Sebring Youth Baseball
Since 2007, Sebring Youth Baseball (SYB) has been chosen on several occasions to host Florida Dixie Youth Baseball state tournaments in Sebring. These events attract teams from across Florida to stay and compete in Highlands County for several days during the summer. Without the dedication of the volunteer-managed SYB, these tournaments would not be occurring in Highlands County. The events generate a significant economic boost to the County’s local economy during the summer months, a time that is typically slower for tourism in our area. The award was accepted on behalf of SYB by Board Members Casey Moesching and Crystal Acevedo.
Rising Star Champions: Chris and Robert Adams, Sebring Soap Co.
Chris and Robert have consistently showcased exceptional talent in retail, unity, and entrepreneurship. Their collaborative endeavors have resulted in groundbreaking initiatives for Highlands County and its visitors. Drawing from their combined expertise in hospitality and business, Chris and Roberts Adams have opened several retail locations located in Sebring and Avon Park. This award is not just an acknowledgment of their past achievements but also a recognition of their potential to shape the future of retail and community relationships within Highlands County.
Innovation Champion : Kristie Vazquez, Sebring Community Development Agency (CRA)
Kristie has dedicated immense effort to an innovative initiative, which has become the talk of the town. By leveraging their revitalization program, the Sebring CRA successfully caught the interest of HGTV, leading to a six-episode docuseries that will showcase the charm, history, and community pride of Sebring and Highlands County throughout the entirety of Season 3 of HGTV’s Home Town Takeover. Due to her efforts, the County stands to gain significant national exposure in 2025, reaching an audience with millions of viewers that will contribute to ongoing economic development, increase tourism, improve the aesthetic appeal of our downtown areas, and positively position Highlands County for future advancement.
Volunteer Champion: Bob Hoffman, Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts
Bob is often the first and last face of Highlands County for many of the guest artists performing at the Alan Jay Wildstein Center. He is often their chauffer, greeting them when they arrive at the airport and ensuring they make their flight out, no matter the hour of day. In his cheerful, polite and accommodating manner, he gladly recommends local restaurants, businesses and other services. Management receives compliments about Bob from the artists, as well as local business owners and managers often praise Bob for his attitude and helpfulness.
Humanitarian Champion: Kristen Smoyer, Lake June Pontoons
Demonstrating her commitment to water safety, Kristen is involved in the Life Jacket Loaner Program through Boat US, providing free life jackets to the public. She often dedicates her time to teaching boating operations to young people, helping them secure their boating safety cards. To promote environmental safety, she organizes an annual trash pickup event, which successfully removed 23 tons of litter in 2023, creating a cleaner and safer environment for all residents and visitors of Highlands County, both human and wildlife.
As the president of the Leisure Lakes Civic Association, she actively promotes awareness about littering, fosters community cohesion, and encourages youth participation in local programs. As a member of Keep Lake Placid Beautiful, she collaborates with others to implement strategies that enhance lake health, community development, and overall environmental well-being in Lake Placid.
For more information about the Winner’s Circle Tourism Awards Program, go to: https://visitsebring.com/tourism-awards/.
-30-
Visit Sebring is the destination marketing organization managed by the Highlands County Tourist Development Council (TDC). The mission of the TDC is to contribute to a positive quality of life for the residents of Highlands County through destination promotion, tourism development, advocacy, and resource management – which are foundation pieces for future economic growth. For more information, visit https://www.VisitSebring.com or find us on social media @VisitSebring and use #VisitSebring for your social posts.
