Visit Lake Charles celebrated the 2026 ROSE (Recognition of Service Excellence) Awards winners and Legacy Awards honorees during the fifth annual ROSE Awards ceremony on Thursday, May 7, at L’Auberge Casino Resort. 

The ceremony recognized hospitality professionals, community partners and tourism leaders whose service and leadership help shape the visitor experience in Southwest Louisiana. The event was held during National Travel and Tourism Week, an annual industry celebration highlighting travel’s impact on local economies, jobs and communities. 

“Recognition like this matters because the work these professionals do directly drives economic impact for Southwest Louisiana,” said Kyle Edmiston, president and CEO of Visit Lake Charles. 

The 2026 ROSE Award recipients include: 

  • Outstanding Banquet/Catering Professional: Ashley Turner, operations manager, Horseshoe Lake Charles Hotel & Casino 

  • Outstanding Bartending Professional: Brittany Matt, bartender, Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse at Golden Nugget Lake Charles 

  • Outstanding Casino Floor Professional: Lawrence Wilson, table games pit manager, Golden Nugget Lake Charles 

  • Outstanding Culinary Professional: Paulina Siebarth, owner, Nina P’s Cafe 

  • Outstanding Culinary Service Professional: Corey Johnson, server, Augustine 

  • Outstanding Guest Services Professional: Victoria Hebert, bell desk attendant, L’Auberge Casino Resort 

  • Outstanding Hotel Sales Professional: Midge Singleton-Powers, director of sales, Tru by Hilton 

  • Outstanding Housekeeping Professional: Clasi Roberson, executive housekeeper, Hampton Inn by Hilton Lake Charles 

  • Outstanding Hospitality Student: Rosa Chavez, culinary student specializing in baking and pastry arts, SOWELA Technical Community College

The 2026 ROSE Award winners were nominated by colleagues and members of the public and selected by an impartial panel of industry and community judges. 

Visit Lake Charles also presented Legacy Awards to community partners and leaders who have made significant contributions to Southwest Louisiana’s tourism. 

The 2026 Legacy Award recipients include: 

  • Hospitality Arts & Tourism Award: Ashley Royer, creative director, Imperial Calcasieu Museum 

  • Public Service Award: Mayor Hal McMillin, City of Westlake 

  • Lasting Impression Award: Donald Thomas Jr., executive director, Black Heritage Festival of Louisiana 

  • Sports Partner of the Year Award: Glenn Cecchini, baseball head coach, Barbe High School; Chad Hebert, baseball head coach, Sam Houston High School; Thomas Tillery, baseball head coach, Sulphur High School 

  • Tourism Lifetime Service Award: Mayor Mike Danahay, City of Sulphur 

  • Tourism Champion: Jim Rock, executive director, Lake Area Industry Alliance 

  • Shelley Johnson Tourism Leadership Award: Edwina Medearis, director, The Culture, Art & Music Association of Louisiana 

  • Chair’s Cup Award: Gregory Hennagin, senior vice president and general manager, Golden Nugget Lake Charles 

Since launching in 2022, the ROSE Awards have recognized 44 hospitality and professionals. To learn more about the awards, visit visitlakecharles.org/rose. 

Download photos from the 2026 ROSE Awards here.  

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About Visit Lake Charles
Visit Lake Charles, the official destination marketing organization for Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana, is the only organization in Southwest Louisiana providing advocacy, promotion, and education for the tourism industry. For more information on Visit Lake Charles and things to see and do in Louisiana’s Playground, log on to www.visitlakecharles.org.