POCONO MOUNTAINS VISITORS BUREAU RECOGNIZES TOURISM HEROES AT TOURISM ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS LUNCHEON

05/13/2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alicia M. Quinn
Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau
Phone: 570.421.5791
alicia@poconos.org

POCONO MOUNTAINS, PA, May 13, 2009 – Earlier today, Pocono Mountains Tourism Achievement Award winners were honored by the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau (PMVB) at a special luncheon, sponsored by Right Reason Technologies, during the 15^th Annual Pocono Mountains Tourism Day event at Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort, Shawnee on Delaware.  Representatives of the local tourism industry gathered to recognize industry employees, along with member properties, for strides in customer service and community involvement.  Awards were given to individuals for Brand Hero, Lifetime Achievement and Outstanding Tourism Employee of the Year.  PMVB Member Properties were also presented the Community Service Award, Green Award and Brand Champion Awards.

Congratulations to Delka Nikolova of Stroudsmoor Country Inn, Phil Policare of Caesars Pocono Resorts and Stephanie Litchman of Split Rock Resort & Golf Club for the Brand Hero Awards; Ron Logan of The French Manor for the Lifetime Achievement Award; Will Stryeski of The Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort and Ceil Termini of Caesars Pocono Resorts for the Outstanding Tourism Employee of the Year Award;Woodloch Resort for the Community Service Award;The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort for the Green Award; and Split Rock Resort & Golf Club for the Brand Champion Award.

Delka Nikolova – Brand Hero Award
Delka Nikolova was awarded the Brand Hero Award for her service as part of the Stroudsmoor Country Inn Team for the past 15 years.  She continuously "Lives the Brand" by remembering guests' preferences, dispensing directions to local points of interest and finding innovative solutions to maximize guest enjoyment.  She serves as Brand Ambassador for not only Stroudsmoor Country Inn but also for the entire Pocono Mountains region.  In addition, Nikolova has completed both the Pocono Mountains Promise and the Treasure Hunt.

Phil Policare – Brand Hero Award
Brand Hero Award winner, Phil Policare, Chief eXcitement Officer of Caesars Pocono Resorts was recognized for his attention to and knowledge of each guests' personal likes and needs, ensuring that each and every stay is a fulfilling one.  Guests of Caesars Pocono Resorts feel an immediate connection with "Honest Phil".  He has also made significant fundamental contributions to the creation and implementation of new guest activities, creating a lasting impact on bookings and repeat business. Policare has also completed both the Pocono Mountains Promise and the Treasure Hunt.

Stephanie Litchman – Brand Hero Award
Brand Hero Award winner, Stephanie Litchman, Front Office Manager of Split Rock Resort & Golf Club was recognized for her calm nature, attention to detail and knowledge of the Pocono Mountains, which has pointed thousands of visitors in the right direction to fulfill their vacation ideas.  She consistently goes above the call of duty to make each guest feel special.  Her enthusiasm and commitment to guest service is unparalleled which entitled her to a gold pin in Fall of 2008.  Litchman has also completed both the Pocono Mountains Promise and the Treasure Hunt.

Ron Logan – Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to an individual with over twenty years of experience.  This year's winner not only has exceeded the twenty years of service, but in conjunction with the PMVB's 75^th Anniversary, our winner ironically turns 75 years old and has been a promoter of the region ever since.  Ron Logan, President/Owner of The French Manor, devoted 40 years of what became well-known as a Pocono Mountains tradition of lavishing personal attention to the many guests.  His selfless dedication has created an indelible positive impression on the Pocono Mountains and leaves a lasting imprint for the future. 

Will Stryeski – Outstanding Tourism Employee of the Year Award
As Manager for Shawnee Fishing Trips of Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort, Will Stryeski was awarded Outstanding Tourism Employee of the Year for providing outstanding service to every guest at every opportunity.  His true passion is talking to guests and teaching them about the abundant fishing opportunities in the Pocono Mountains.  Stryeski's passion carries through in his bi-weekly "Fish Guy" column for the Pocono Record.

Ceil Termini – Outstanding Tourism Employee of the Year Award
As a Travel Planning Specialist for Caesars Pocono Resorts, Ceil Termini was awarded Outstanding Tourism Employee of the Year.  Throughout her 29 incredible years with Caesars, guests have always been her number one priority.  She is a master of all the elements of service skills.  She is well disciplined and industrious with a pleasant personality.  She encourages and motivates all those around her.  She has proven to be a knowledgeable person who is able to successfully interact with potential guests as well as present creative ideas and communicate the benefits of the Pocono Mountains.

Woodloch Resort – Community Service Award
Woodloch Resort in Lackawaxen is being awarded and recognized for their community contributions that all surround the courageous efforts of Bob Kiesendahl and his BK Hope Cures organization, which is celebrating 10 years of commitment to giving back..  What started as a small golf outing has grown into a 2-day annual golf extravaganza as well as a 5K walk/run, motorcycle run, tricky tray and swimathon.  Woodloch hosts an event for each season.  Hundreds of staff join forces to ensure the success of these events.  Woodloch proudly sponsors these events, giving them an opportunity to not only raise money and awareness, but to provide support and comfort for those struggling with cancer.  Each year the combined programs touch nearly 5,000 participants.

Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort – Green Award
The Pocono Mountains Green Award was awarded to Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort in Shawnee on Delaware, as a facility that is committed to providing guests with excellent service while preserving its natural surroundings.  Shawnee has built the reputation as being a green leader in the travel and tourism industry.  Continuing upon this tradition, 2008 brought forth a wide range of new environmental initiatives that helped Shawnee further improve its sustainability practices, including its creation of the Shawnee Green Team formed to further progress Shawnee's sustainability practices by education, research and implementation.

Split Rock Resort & Golf Club – Brand Champion Award
Split Rock Resort & Golf Club in Lake Harmony has received the Brand Champion Award for the second year in a row, achieving the highest participation in the Pocono Mountains Brand Enculturation Training Program.  At selection time, they achieved 100% staff completion rate of the Pocono Mountains Promise and 100% completion rate of the Pocono Mountains Treasure Hunt.  This translated to a total of 434 participants.  Today, having continued their training, a total of 489 certified Pocono Mountains Brand Ambassadors represent both Split Rock Resort & Golf Club and the Pocono Mountains Region.  

This awards program was presented by the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau to recognize those in the local tourism industry who do more than expected to provide an exceptional experience for guests, fellow employees and the community.

Comprehensive Pocono Mountains visitor information is available online at www.800poconos.com or by phone at 800-POCONOS (800-762-6667).  The Pocono Mountains Convention and Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization for the four counties of Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne in northeastern Pennsylvania.   

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Editors Note:
Images are available upon request. Please contact Alicia Quinn at 570.578.2473 or alicia@poconos.org.