The PA Tourism & Lodging Association held its 15th Annual Spirit of Hospitality Awards Reception on April 28, 2008, at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg East. These prestigious awards recognized outstanding performance, commitment, and achievements in the hospitality and tourism industry throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The event featured the Vivace String Quartet and an outstanding selection of fine appetizers prepared by the extraordinary culinary staff of the Holiday Inn. The presentations were made by; J. Mickey Rowley, Deputy Secretary, Pennsylvania Tourism Office and James Purdum, CHA, General Manager, Hospitality Services, The Pennsylvania State University and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors, PA Tourism & Lodging Association.

The Association is pleased to announce the finalists and recipients of the 2008 Spirit of Hospitality Awards. For more information on these honored persons visit www.patourism.org/soh after June 1, 2008.

Lodging Employee of the Year
Recipient - Bessie Green, The Hilton Inn at Penn, Philadelphia
Finalist - Irina Bugariu, Hotel Sofitel Philadelphia
Finalist - Jermaine Brunson, The Hilton Inn at Penn, Philadelphia

Department Manager of the Year
Recipient - Christie Gumble, Great Wolf Lodge, Scotrun
Finalist - Charlie Gipe, Hershey Entertainment Complex
Finalist - Edward T. Shimanski, Hershey Lodge

General Manager of the Year
Recipient - Eric DeStefano, Omni William Penn Hotel, Pittsburgh
Finalist - Rob Howell, The Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort
Finalist - Michael Ritter, The Historic Strasburg Inn

Innkeeper of the Year
Recipient - Nancy Noll, The Queen, A Victorian Bed & Breakfast, Bellefonte

Community Service Award
Recipient - Great Wolf Lodge, Scotrun

Guest Relations Award
Recipient - PA Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau, Lancaster

Student of the Year
Recipient - Angelo Blakey, nominated by The Pennsylvania State University
Recipient - Jackie Kluger, nominated by Courtyard by Marriott Philadelphia Downtown

The PA Tourism & Lodging Association would like to thank the following sponsors of the
2008 Spirit of Hospitality Awards Reception.