Statewide hospitality association honors hotelier John Graf with Lifetime Achievement Award
Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association announces 2018 industry award winners
Harrisburg, Pa. (October 15, 2018)—The Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association (PRLA) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2018 Spirit of Hospitality Awards. Each year, PRLA honors exceptional members of the association and the hospitality industry for their leadership, commitment and service to the industry and community. This year’s awards gala will take place on October 22 at The Masonic Temple, Philadelphia.
“This year’s recipients of the Spirit of Hospitality Awards reflect the dedication and diversity of our industry’s workforce,” said John Longstreet, president & CEO of PRLA. “Our members are committed to providing great customer experiences, and we are pleased to honor the individuals and businesses who make that happen.”
John Graf, president & CEO of Priory Hospitality Group, will be honored with the PRLA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. This award is presented to long-standing PRLA members who have demonstrated continuous support of the industry and association throughout their career.
Beechie’s Place, Meadow Lands, Pa., will receive the 2018 Wilmer S. Lapp Community Service Award for several annual initiatives, including Music & Meatballs for the Chartiers-Houston High School Music Program, that support the Meadow Lands community.
PRLA also honored the following individuals as Spirit of Hospitality award winners:
- Future of the Industry Award: David Pearce-Smith, Seton Hill University
- Customer Relations Award: Xue “Snow” Lewis, Days Inn Penn State
- Manager of the Year: Brian Dailey, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Downtown Restaurant Group
- Eco-Hero Award: Stephanie Rath, Barley Creek Brewing Company
- Innovation Award: Alexa Johnson, Visit Bucks County
- Campaign of the Year: Behind the Eats, Visit Philadelphia
- Event of the Year: WaterFire Sharon, Sharon, Pa.
For additional details about each category of the Spirit of Hospitality Awards, please visit www.prla.org/industry-awards.html.
PRLA also recognized state winners for two national award programs: Restaurant Neighbor and Faces of Diversity awards. State winners in each category went on to compete nationally. The Faces of Diversity Award honors champions of diversity and inclusion and restaurateurs who have achieved their American Dream. The Pennsylvania state winners were:
- Juan Martinez, Don Juan Mex Grill, Lehigh Valley
- Atanasio “Nacho” Reyes, Reba & Pancho’s, Lewisburg
- Erin Zwiercan, Jack Duggan’s Irish Pub, Philadelphia Airport
The Restaurant Neighbor Award highlights outstanding local and national charitable service and philanthropy. The Pennsylvania state winners’ programs were:
- Hoss’s Family Steak & Sea restaurants, Duncansville, "Community Night in honor of State Trooper Landon Weaver"
- Lehigh Valley Restaurant Group (Red Robin), Allentown, "The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society"
- Metz Culinary Management, Dallas, "Hurricane Relief Efforts & Dinner for Kids"
Hilton Worldwide and Lehigh Valley Restaurant Group (Red Robin Gourmet Burgers & Brews) are the primary sponsors of the event, with additional support from Auntie Anne’s, Metz Culinary Management, PJW Restaurant Group, Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board, Anheuser-Busch/INBEV, MillerCoors, Visit Philadelphia, McDonald’s, AAHOA, AUI Associates Inc., Dell, Ellis Coffee, Heartland, Hilton Harrisburg, Sysco Central PA, Sysco Philadelphia, and UnitedHealthcare.
About Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association
The Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association promotes, protects, and improves the hospitality and tourism industries of Pennsylvania. PRLA serves as the unified voice for one of Pennsylvania’s largest economic drivers, hospitality and tourism, which employs approximately 960,000 people and generates revenues of more than $42 billion annually.
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Contact: Stephanie Otterson
Director of Communications
[email protected]
(717)963-8369