VIP Excellence Awards Honours Best Of The Best
[Updated] The best of the island’s hospitality workers were honoured during this weekend’s VIP Excellence Awards held at the at the Fairmont Southampton.
Betty Jean Gilbert [pictured] picked up the biggest honour of the night, winning the Ministry of Tourism’s Best of the Best Award and the $10,000 prize.
Her nomination said she “has dedicated her life to the hospitality industry. Not only does she work long shifts sometimes arriving home at midnight but she has also held the position of Union shop steward.
“As such she has dedicated herself to making sure staff issues are dealt with fairly. She enjoys working at the Hospitality Tent at Cup Match where she ensures that visitor receive truly Bermudian hospitality.
“Betty Jean graduated from the Hotel Training College and over 30 years has advanced through various positions in the industry working within the convention area.
“Whenever possible she encourages young people to enter the tourism industry by relating her success story. Her years of service in the hotel industry demonstrate her determination to make Bermuda tourism a number one product again.”
Retired cultural tourism officer Connie Dey was honoured with the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award. For many years she has been a part of the Bermuda Department of Tourism’s team which organises events for visitors during the winter season.
Ms Dey was also involved in organising the Annual Floral Pageant, and College Weeks activities, and is currently a member of the Heritage Advisory Board of the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs and a front desk volunteer for the National Trust, the National Gallery and St Peter’s Church.
Other top service providers were also honoured for going above and beyond, including well known peformer Mark “Sybil” Anderson who claimed the Transportation Award, Fairmont Southampton Golf Club’s Anthony Mocklow who won the Activities and Attractions Award, CedarBridge Academy’s Patricia Nesbitt who won the Production Services Award and many more.
The Award Winners were:
- Betty Jean Gilbert, Ministry of Tourism Best of the Best Award
- Connie Dey, 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award
- Winfield Todd, The Reefs, Best Bell/Doorman
- Crystal Anderson, Rosewood Tucker’s Point, Best Front Desk/Telephone Operator
- Lorrie Bennett-Bean, St George’s Club, Best Concierge/Tour Desk Operator
- Peter Bell, Red Carpet, Food & Beverage Award
- Betty Jean Gilbert, Fairmont Southampton, Best Waiter
- Serge Leibowitch, Fairmont Hamilton Princess, Best Chef
- Kimberly Terceira, Fairmont Southampton, Convention and Marketing Award
- Mark “Sybil” Anderson, Dept Of Public Transportation, Transportation Award
- Donna Lindo, Class Act Design, Hospitality Support Services Award
- Anthony Mocklow, Fairmont Southampton Golf Club, Activities and Attractions Award
- Bruno Fiocca, Tom Moore’s Tavern, General Administration Award
- Jennifer Looby, Rosedon, Young Person with Promise Award
- Joe-Ann Scott of Astwood Dickinson, Retail Store Employee Award
- June Durham, Fairmont Hamilton Princess, Best Chef
- Dennis Fox, Entertainer
- Deborah Trott, KEMH Hospital Concierge, Best Airline Employee
- William Ming, Grotto Bay, Heart of the House Award
- Patricia Nesbitt, CedarBridge Academy, Production Services Award
- June Durham, Fairmont Hamilton Princess, Best Housekeeping Award
Update 5.09pm: The Progressive Labour Party today congratulated Ms. Betty-Jean Gilbert on her “Minister of Tourism Best of the Best Award”, received this past weekend at the 12th Annual VIP Excellence Awards.
Shadow Minister of Tourism Wayne Furbert commented on behalf of the Party, “We are certainly pleased to extend our congratulations to Betty-Jean on this accomplishment. She represents all that is positive and uplifting about the hospitality industry and we commend her on her success.
Party Leader Marc Bean echoed Mr. Furbert’s comments, and also recognized the other successful award winners. “I too pass on my congratulations to Betty-Jean on her award winning career, and I further extend congratulations to all the winners on Saturday night.
“We of The Progressive Labour Party firmly support the hospitality industry as one of our economic pillars. With mentors and role models like the individuals that were acknowledged on Saturday night, we can see that we are on the right track.”
Congrats to all, job well done Ms Gilbert and all the nominees.
Congratulations. To the VIP Best of the Best BettyJean Gilbert. Congratulations to all other winners of their respective categories and nominees.
Don’t see the bartenders?
FYI
@ spare me Peter Bell won the nomination for bar tenders!