St. Maarten – Staff of Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino and Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort Casino and Spa have dominated nominations for the tenth annual St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA) Crystal Pineapple Awards for Excellence.
Winners will be revealed at the “Night of the Industry Stars” in Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino on Friday, November 20.
Of the 16 categories for Crystal Pineapples, staffers of the two resorts are represented in seven. Several of the remaining categories were not directly related to the resort field so no nominee was put forward. Nominations for the awards came from within the ranks of the resort as well as from people who have recognized the exceptional work or resort staff and in this case specific individuals.
A total of 59 individuals and organizations have been nominated for Crystal Pineapples. Of that number, Sonesta Resorts staff account for a dozen nominees, the most for any company in the line-up. In some categories, several Sonesta Resorts’ staffers are nominated.
“We are elated some many of our staff members have been nominated for the Crystal Pineapple Awards for Excellence. They are already exceptional at their tasks and in making very sure our guests have the time of their lives while on vacation with us,” the Maho Group, the operator of the two only all-inclusive resorts on the Dutch side of the island said in a press release. “It is very heartening to see multiple nominees from our resorts in the same category. This shows the dedication to excellence and invites amicable competition among staff at the two sister resorts.”
The Maho Group wishes all nominated resort staff members the best of luck. “We look forward to you claiming the Crystal Pineapple in all seven categories in which the resorts have nominees.”
Nominated staffers from Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino are: for “Employee of the Year” are Akilah Dormoy and Clint Violenus (employee of the year), Kaye Henderson (supervisor of the year), Chelsey Brown (restaurants and bars – employee of the year), Elizabeth Attidore and Ramon Moreno (bartender of the year), Carla Melo (salesperson of the year).
Nominated staffers from Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort Casino and Spa are: Vernetta Lewis (employee of the year), Unelta Cherry (supervisor of the year), Paul Jacques Casseus (department manager of the year), Rufino de la Cruz (restaurants and bars – employee of the year), Stacy Mardenbrough (Chef of the year).
Nomination for the award is not the only component in capturing the Crystal Pineapple. The second phase of the selection process is online voting by the public. To vote for any of the Sonesta staff members, visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/Crystalpineappleawards2015voting. Voting closes on Sunday, November 15, at 12 p.m.
