Napa Valley & Sonoma County – MARCH 10, 2015 10 Winners of the CANVAS Excellence Awards (CEA’s) from 26 Finalists will be announced at the Gala Dinner to be held at the Napa Valley Performing Arts at Lincoln Theater in Yountville. “Our Hospitality Professionals have a powerful influence on the guest experience, and on our economy. I am excited and proud to host an annual event that recognizes them for their contribution.” explains Colby Smith, Founder and Executive Director of CANVAS.
From July to December of 2014 the Nominations and voting that took place will culminate on March 10 at the CANVAS Excellence Awards gala dinner celebration. These Hospitality leaders showed care “above and beyond” to make the guest’s visit to our destination exceptional.
The Judges, from various areas of expertise in both Napa and Sonoma include: Ken Fischang, President/CEO, Sonoma County Tourism Bureau; Greg Nomura, General Manager of the Andaz Napa Valley; Kathy Magner, Director of Hospitality, Robert Mondavi Winery; Jennifer Buffo, Owner Pure Luxury Transportation; Larry Willis, Board Member of the Sonoma County Lodging Association and owner of The Gables Wine Country Inn; Wendy Peterson, Executive Director Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau; Holly Stiel, Founder/Trainer from Thank You Very Much, Inc.; Terri Piper, Owner, Piper Johnson Catering; and Don Rickard, Owner of Platypus Tours.
In addition to the 9 category recipients, the Grand Prize winner will receive the Robert Mondavi Hospitality Excellence award, named to honor the man who initiated tasting room hospitality in Northern California. All winners will receive a special trophy sculpture designed by Gordon Huether, a highly esteemed, world renown artist whose Gallery is in Napa. The program cover for the evening is designed by another renown artist, Dinah Cross James. Winners will also receive substantial prizes.
CANVAS is enthusiastically supported by its members and Sponsors. Contributing to make this evening an elegant experience are: Morimoto Restaurant, Hurley’s Restaurant, Piper Johnson Catering, Dean & Deluca, Mercantile 12, Mary’s Chicken, Classic Party Rental, EV Florals.
The 26 finalists whose outstanding customer service is recognized are:
- Beauty & Health: Sandina Ballo, Sala Salon; Lynne Memmot, Greenhaus Spa
- Concierge Napa: Pamela Grinnewald, ANDAZ Hotel; Art Rodriguez, Silverado Resort; Calista Roman, Bardessono
- Concierge Sonoma: Nancy Boerum, MacArthur Place;Sharon Cousins, Santa Rosa CVB;Tegan Wilson, Hotel Healdsburg
- Restaurant & Culinary Napa: Guy Barstad, Bardessono;Catherine Gesiakowski, Hurleys Restaurant; Peter Kelly, Dean & Deluca
- Restaurant & Culinary Sonoma: John Burdick, Olive & Vine; Saul Gropman, Café LaHaye; Jennifer Thompson, Grapevine Catering
- Retail/Art: Elizabeth Cameron, West End Napa; Jeanne Dillon, Artists of the Valley Gallery; Kristina Young, The Grand Hand Gallery
- Tour Guide: Karl Christensen, Platypus Tours; Brian Sayles, A Limo Excursion; Stacy Su, Stacy’s Wine Tours
- Winery, Napa: Matthew McMann, Sequoia Grove; Marybeth Salmieri, Jamieson Ranch; Fred Sconberg, HALL Wines.
- Winery, Sonoma: Amanda Artz, Ledson Winery/now Seghesio; Jesslyn Jackson, Gracianna Winery; Alan Wastell, Anaba Wines
CANVAS is proud to salute these Hospitality Professionals recognized by their peers for their outstanding Customer Service.
About CANVAS (The Concierge Alliance of Napa Valley and Sonoma)
CANVAS is a membership organization of over 1,000 hospitality professionals supporting tourism in Napa Valley and Sonoma County. It offers resources, information, introductions, and opportunities that enable Hospitality Professionals to arrange optimal experiences for visitors to Northern California Wine Country. CANVAS programs include Hospitality Training, an annual Trade Show for Event and Meeting Planners, Wine Education, Wine Marketing Boot Camps, Networking Events, a robust resource website and more. CANVAS also provides scholarships to Sonoma State University and Napa Valley College for Hospitality students.
