CANVAS (The Concierge Alliance of Napa Valley and Sonoma) has launched the CANVAS Hospitality Excellence Awards, a new annual program to enhance pride and reward Customer Service well done. This is the first event designed to acknowledge the important Hospitality Community in Northern California wine country. “Our Hospitality Professionals have a powerful influence on the guest experience, and on our economy. I am excited and proud to create a way for them to be recognized for their contribution. We’re getting outstanding support from the community.” explains Colby Smith, Founder and Executive Director of CANVAS.
Starting in July 2013 Candidates were nominated by their colleagues by describing an example of how the nominee showed care “above and beyond” to make the guest’s visit exceptional. There are ten nomination categories covering both Napa and Sonoma – Concierges, Tour Guides; Outdoor Activities; Beauty & Health, Restaurant, Art & Retail, and Winery Educators.
Following nominations Hospitality Professionals voted for their peers. Voting ended November 30th. Once nominees were narrowed down to three in each category a panel of community leaders selectd the final winners based on votes and the nominee’s stories of service excellence. The Judges, were selected from various areas of expertise in both Napa and Sonoma including: Jim Treadway, General Manager of the Bardessono Inn, Yountville; David Scott, General Manager of the Sheraton Sonoma and President of the Sonoma County Lodging Association; Ken Fischang, President/CEO, Sonoma County Tourism Bureau; Holly Stiel, Founder/Trainer from Thank You Very Much, Inc.; Ariana Peju, Proprietor of Peju Province Winery and Tess Winery; Darcy Tunt, Hospitality & Retail Marketing Consultant, Gordon Huether Studio; Bob Hurley, Owner, Hurley’s Restaurant; Terri Piper, Owner, Piper Johnson Catering, Stephen Pirak, Consumer Direct Manager, Lasseter Family Winery; Teresa Raffo, Events Manager, Cornerstone Sonoma. Colby states, “To be honest, like a number of other CANVAS programs I’m amazed this wasn’t initiated years ago. Millions of dollars in recommendations flow through these peoples’ hands. They influence repeat visits, motivate referrals and generate corporate leads. It truly is exciting and gratifying to see our Wine Country service professionals receive the recognition they deserve. I want to reinforce their taking a great sense of pride in their job well done and thank them for their service.”
On February 27th award recipients will be honored at the CANVAS Hospitality Excellence Awards dinner. In addition to the 10 category recipients there will be a Grand Prize winner who 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 award sculpture designed by Gordon Huether, a highly esteemed, world renown artist who resides and has a Gallery in Napa. Winners will also receive substantial prizes designed to reward them with an experience of outstanding Hospitality. Prizes include a round trip ticket anywhere on Alaska Air, including Hawaii and Canada. Other prizes include a Mercedes Benz for a month from Fairfield Mercedes Benz; a week’s luxury rental car from Enterprise; wine experience resulting in three cases of personally made and labeled wine; limo service for ten in a Mercedez Springer from Beau Wine Tours, a stay at the chic Andaz Hotel and dinner at the elegant Lucy Restaurant; a private dinner for four at St. Supery Winery, plus a case of mixed wine; two special “Experience San Francisco packages with hotel, (Grand Hyatt and Intercontinental) restaurant (Capo and Osso Steakhouse), a Burke Williams spa experience for two, and sailing on San Francisco bay on the Schooner Frieda B.
“I think it’s all timing.” states Colby Smith. “CANVAS came about fice years ago at a particular moment in Wine Country’s growth when it made sense to initiate the hospitality programs our organization offers. I have been so fortunate to make a contribution to this extraordinary community.”
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.
