Traverse City Tourism (TCT) is excited to recognize the hard-working, creative, welcoming, and tenacious individuals who make our hospitality industry thrive! The High Five Hospitality Awards offer the region’s hospitality professionals a few moments of well-earned recognition, shining a spotlight on the talents and personal drive of the thousands of people who welcome guests each day and create exceptional experiences in the greater Grand Traverse region.

Congratulations to our 2024 Award Winners
 

• Front of House (Lodging) – Stephanie Gray – Crystal Mountain

• Front of House (All Venues) – Rachel Payne – Shorts Brewing

• Back of House (Lodging) – Aurora Bernal – Sleep Inn & Suites/Brio Beach Inn

• Back of House (All Venues) – Maria Leggett – Broomstack Kitchen & Taphouse

• Seasonal – Jayson Spaulding – Crystal Mountain

• Rookie of the Year – Lilyona Macguire – Tru by Hilton

• Sales/Marketing/Finance – Kristin Toedebusch – Superior Hospitality

• Festival & Events – Kat Paye – The Festival Foundation (National Cherry Festival)

• Hospitality All Star – Kimberly Zacharias – Black Star Farms

• Leadership – Michaelene V’Soske – Grand Traverse Resort & Spa

ELIGIBILITY AND THE NOMINATIONS PROCESS

Nominees must be employees or owners of a business that delivers hospitality experiences, such as lodging, food and beverage, attractions, events, or retail. We welcome any hospitality business or organization to participate, with two requirements: (1) the business must be located in Grand Traverse, Benzie, Leelanau, or Antrim County; and (2) for the lodging-specific awards, the business must be a TCT lodging member.

We love newcomers to the industry, but for this recognition, we are seeking those who have been employed in hospitality for at least two years. We welcome you to include nominees who may work here on a seasonal basis, as well. Nominees may considered in more than one category, but may only win in one category. 

Nominations should be submitted using the official nomination form by either an employer, a colleague or a former colleague of the nominee. We would love to hear personal stories, customer feedback, volunteer work, hobbies, etc., and we welcome you to share additional documents to the nomination including other letters of recommendation, news stories, testimonials, etc. 

TIPS FOR NOMINATORS

• Please limit your nominations to one person in each category, and we recommend nominating someone only in the category that you believe they are best qualified.
• Our scoring rubric includes all questions on the form – the more complete the information that you provide, the better chance your nominee has of being recognized.
• Please be prepared to share a compelling explanation of why you are nominating and don’t be shy in telling us what makes them a superstar!
• We request your contact information so we may reach out to learn more about the nominee if we have questions, so please include your contact information. If you wish to remain anonymous to the nominee, simply let us know on the form.

TIMELINE

• Nominations open: 2/3/2025
• Nominations close: 3/14/2025
• Awards announced: 5/15/2025, at the Traverse City Tourism Annual Meeting

2025 AWARD CATEGORIES 

Open for Nominations:

• Cheer-Leadership: This award recognizes an individual who is leading the way to the future of hospitality in the Traverse City region. Perhaps they are a creative guru with innovative approaches or a welcoming voice lending advice and support to newcomers in the industry; maybe they have delivered outsized amounts of mentorship and support to their teams and colleagues within the industry; or they may be giving back to the community and serving beyond what’s expected.  
• Tastemaker: Recognizing a chef, craft beverage producer (distiller, winemaker, brewer, etc.), or a mixologist whose flavors are crave-worthy, this award invites all of us to explore the true flavors of Traverse City.    
• Front of House - All venues - This guest relations whiz might tend bar, serve you a fine meal, or help you feel special and valued at whatever venue you're visiting...they have a knack for knowing what you need and saying just the right thing. 
• Front of the House - Lodging only: Honoring a non-management employee of a TCT Lodging Member who goes above and beyond their normal job responsibilities, showcasing their knack for customer service. 
• Back of House - All venues: This member of the back of house team strives to make sure every sip or bite or visit is perfect. This might be a cook, a runner or dishwasher, or perhaps the one coordinating the website or keeping systems running. This is someone who provides energy, creativity, and extreme care for the experience they’re producing. 
• Back of House - Lodging only: Honoring those who work behind the scenes at a TCT Lodging Member to make the customer experience exceptional. This dedicated, hard-working individual goes above and beyond to support the business and their colleagues.  
• Sales / Marketing / Finance: This is a key member of the team who helps keep business humming, whether through their marketing genius, by reaching new sales records, ensuring there is a steady stream of events on-site, or helping ensure the bottom line is always in the black.
• Festivals / Events / Attractions: This category recognizes a rock star who helps deliver one of the region’s iconic events, attractions or festivals. They might be supporting a critical piece of the operations or orchestrating the whole thing; either way, they are driven, enthusiastic, and a worthy ambassador for the Traverse City region. 

We will not be taking nominations for the last two award categories; they will be selected by the review panel and the TCT Board of Directors:

• Hospitality All-Star: The heart, the soul, the all-star. This award will be selected from your nominations in all other categories. It recognizes an industry top performer who sets the bar high and applies their passion and talents to showcase what makes Northern Michigan so special.  
• Community Impact Award: From visionary community leaders to entrepreneurs to creatives, this award recognizes one of the many people who have contributed to making the Traverse City region a great place to live and a popular place to visit. This leader is a key part of making this destination exceptional.