Akron’s Best in the Hospitality Industry Recognized at Zenith Awards
The 9th Annual Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau Zenith Awards were held in May, honoring outstanding service in the hospitality industry. The Zenith awards are a feature event in Downtown Akron, celebrating National Tourism Week 2010. The ceremony recognizes those individuals and organizations that excel in areas of hospitality with a number of Hospitality Industry Awards along with Traditional Awards.
2010 Awards
The individuals and organizations honored represent those who excelled this past year in making Akron a welcoming and exciting place for visitors to the community. Voting for 7 traditional categories such as the Art/Culture Award, Restaurant/ Dining Award, and the Shopping/Retail Award, are all done on-line. The public gets the opportunity to take part in honoring those who they have seen going above and beyond in the community.
The following are a list of award winners at this year’s event:
2010 Chairman’s Award: Steve and Jeannine Marks, Founders of the Road Runner Akron Marathon
Hospitality Industry Awards
- Hospitality Partnership Award: Cleveland Synergy Foundation-This award is given to a partnership between two or more Summit County hospitality partners that “demonstrates the effectiveness of collaboration in promoting Summit County.”
- Hospitality Web Site Award: Weathervane Playhouse- An award given to a local hospitality web site that “combines all the elements of content, user-friendliness, design and a call for action.
- Friend of Hospitality Award: Dr. Mark Lynberger, Kent State University and Paul Hammond- The University of Akron. This is an award that is presented to an individual or organization that “went above the call of duty to secure a convention or meeting for Summit County.”
- Hospitality Volunteer Award: Jo Anne Salge, Downtown Akron Volunteer Services- This Award is given to an individual that “demonstrated a commitment to the hospitality industry through the use of her/his time, energy and generosity.”
- Hospitality Person of the Year: Dirk Breiding, Akron/ Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau- This award is given simply for going above and beyond the call of action to ensure a friendly and welcoming community.
Traditional Awards
- Art/Culture: Akron Art Museum
- Community/Special Event: Akron Arts Expo
- Outdoor/Recreation: Cuyahoga Valley National Park
- Restaurant/Dining: Bricco
- Shopping/Retail: Don Drumm Studios & Gallery
- Theatre/Entertainment: Akron Civic Theatre
- Point of Interest/Attraction: Akron Zoological Park
These individuals and organizations helped make Akron a welcoming community for visitors. They are a crucial part in putting Akron on the map, ensuring a vibrant future for its citizens and businesses. For more information on the Zentih Awards or the Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau visit www.visitakron-summit.org.
