The Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association held its annual Golden Pineapple Awards Dinner on Jan. 30, 2019 at the Orlando World Center Marriott. This Academy Awards-style event featured 1,200 attendees and recognized lodging employees with a VIP reception, a congratulatory toast by City of Orlando Mayor, Buddy Dyer, followed by dinner and award presentations. FOX 35’s Tom Johnson served as the emcee and awards were presented by CFHLA President/CEO Rich Maladecki.
This activity recognizes hospitality’s “Front Line” employees for exemplary service and customer satisfaction. This year, CFHLA received a record number of 316 nominations.
The employees of the year were recognized in 13 categories:
- Susan Smith
- Villas of Grand Cypress
- Back Office Employee of the Year
- Haleema Degia
- Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport
- Bell Person/Concierge Employee of the Year
- Grace Simmons
- Sheraton Vistana Resort
- Community Service Employee of the Year
- Nick Drozdyk
- Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
- Convention Center/Banquet Employee of the Year
- Daire Rodriguez
- Park Inn by Radisson Orlando Celebration
- Culinary Employee of the Year
- Ricardo Rivera
- Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld
- Engineering Employee of the Year
- Evgeny Pavlov
- DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando Downtown
- Food & Beverage Service Employee of the Year
- Benjamin Kesselhaut
- DoubleTree Suites by Hilton located in the Disney Springs Resort Area
- Front Office Employee of the Year
- Edward Negron
- Waldorf Astoria Orlando
- Housekeeping Employee of the Year
- Rafaela Sanchez
- Hampton Inn & Suites / East Orlando UCF Area
- Laundry Employee of the Year
- Jorge Reyes-Lopez
- Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort
- Recreational Employee of the Year
- Wilmarie Santiago-Cruz
- JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes
- Security/Loss Prevention Employee of the Year
- Michel Martial
- Wyndham Orlando Resort International Drive
- Steward/Dishwasher Employee of the Year