COVID-19 Won’t Stop Annual Hospitality Awards

Did you receive outstanding service during a recent trip to your favourite restaurant or hotel?

Hospitality Saint John is accepting nominations for its annual Loved The Service Awards.

“The Loved The Service Awards are our industry’s awards to give to frontline staff at restaurants, hotels, any participating merchant,” said Mike Belliveau, president of Hospitality Saint John.

“It’s the opportunity for patrons, customers, clients, guests to recognize outstanding service when they received it.”

The organization received around 500 nominations during the first year in 2013. That number peaked at just over 12,000 but has since levelled off at around 2,000 to 3,000 a year since they started asking for testimonials.

Belliveau said the awards program has been well received ever since it was launched.

“When there was steady tourist traffic, we would get nominations from guests from literally all over the world. That was always exciting to read about,” he said.

The tourism and hospitality industry has been in the spotlight lately as it struggles to deal with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Belliveau said tourism has always been an economic pillar of the region and they feel it is important to continue to shine a light on it.

Nominations are due by the end of October and 10 nominees will be selected to receive an award from the organization.

“We’re hoping to still be able to celebrate our successes in some way, shape or form in November. It might be more virtual than in-person but we’re hoping still to shine a light on the season,” said Belliveau.

You can learn more and submit a nomination at LovedTheService.ca.