Visit Lake Charles celebrated outstanding individuals within the Southwest Louisiana hospitality industry at its third annual ROSE (Recognition of Service Excellence) Awards ceremony on Thursday, May 2, at L’Auberge Casino Resort. 

 

The ROSE Awards recognize exceptional performance in the hospitality industry. Eight outstanding hospitality professionals were nominated by members of the public and colleagues, and winners were selected by an impartial panel of judges. 

 

The following professionals were honored as 2024 ROSE Award recipients:  

  • Outstanding Hotel Sales Professional Award: Alicia Boutte, Prosperity Hospitality Management 

  • Outstanding Culinary Professional Award: Chef Lyle Broussard, The Sportsbook at L’Auberge Casino Resort 

  • Outstanding Casino Floor Professional Award: Monica Allison, Golden Nugget Lake Charles 

  • Outstanding Food Service Professional Award: Michelle Burnworth, Cracker Barrel 

  • Outstanding Bartending Professional Award: Megan Nezat, On the Rocks 

  • Outstanding Housekeeping Professional Award: Jennifer Fransaw, Tru by Hilton Lake Charles 

  • Outstanding Guest Services Professional Award: Mary Duhon, The Marco Hotel 

  • Outstanding Transportation Professional Award: Donnie Glyenn, Biking Through the Lake LLC 

 

The ceremony also recognized partners who significantly contribute to the region's tourism industry with Legacy Awards. These awards honor a diverse group of community leaders, entrepreneurs, and advocates dedicated to elevating tourism in various ways. 

 

The following professionals were honored as 2024 Legacy Award recipients: 

  • Hospitality Arts & Tourism Award: Lisa Reed, Owner of Flock of Five 

  • Sports Partner of the Year: Heath Schroyer, Director of Athletics at McNeese State University 

  • Lasting Impression Award: Gus Garden, Chef/Owner of Area 337 and Encanto 

  • Tourism Lifetime Service Award: Willie Mount, former Mayor of Lake Charles and Louisiana State Senator 

  • Public Service Award: Louisiana State Senator Jeremy Stine, District 27 

  • Shelley Johnson Tourism Leadership Award: Rick Richard, Philanthropist and President of Empire of the Seed Consultants 

  • Chair's Cup Award: Dr. Daryl Burckel, McNeese State University's seventh president 

  • Partner in Tourism: City of Lake Charles Public Works Department 

  • Partner in Tourism: Lake Area Adventures 

 

"We are incredibly proud to honor this year's ROSE and Legacy Award winners, whose exceptional commitment to hospitality and tourism is the backbone of our community," said Kyle Edmiston, President and CEO of Visit Lake Charles. "From the front-line service professionals to the visionaries who have laid the groundwork for our region's success, each recipient represents the best of Southwest Louisiana. These awards reflect the hard work, passion, and dedication that make Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana a premier destination. We thank each of them for their invaluable contributions to our local economy and our visitors' experiences."  

 

In 2022, Visit Lake Charles launched the ROSE Awards initiative to recognize front-line hospitality services that leave a lasting impression on the destination and guest experience. The ceremony took place ahead of National Travel and Tourism Week (May 19-25, 2024), an annual celebration highlighting the impact of travel on our nation’s economy.  

 

Watch the ROSE Award videos honoring each recipient and their contributions to the industry at visitlakecharles.org/rose. 

ROSE Winners: https://platform.crowdriff.com/m/s-MibbXv26dWHpzGur

Legacy Winners: https://platform.crowdriff.com/m/s-JnPv7bePL_pqlr1_

 

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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.