Smithfield & Isle of Wight Tourism celebrated National Tourism Month on May 9th at a breakfast at the Smithfield Center by recognizing those in the community who work diligently in the hospitality industry and contribute to its economic vitality.
Congratulations to our 2019 Hospitality Heroes of the Year: The Genuine Merchants of Downtown Smithfield (Gmod's)!
Special “Hospitality Super Hero” Awards were also presented to: Sonny and Sharon Hines, Bill and Florine Moor, Val Johnson and Smithfield & Isle of Wight Tourism Director, Judy Winslow.
2019 Hospitality Heroes
Nominated by their peers, managers and visitors our heroes are those who offered outstanding customer service to our visitors.
Congratulations:
Dee Campbell – Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce
Leslie Fox – Smithfield Gourmet Bakery
Cristy Gibson – Taste of Smithfield
Betty Jackson – the Smithfield Inn
Sally Cospelich – Beyond Main
Jennifer Jones – Isle of Wight Museum
Patty Pauley – Amerian Laser Arts
Bailey Monnett – Wharf Hill Brewing Company
Sonja McGiboney – Arts Center @ 319
Angie Poland – Fleur de Fou
Vicky Connor – Cockeyed Rooster Cafe
Kim Rangos - Blue Sky Distillery
Dawn Riddle – Mansion on Main B&B
Charlie Smith – Finley’s General Store
Pam Staha – Maggie Casey’s Celtic Treasures
Gayle Speed – The Main Event by Emily
Vero Tucker – When Pigs Fly…Magic Happens
Sherry Savage – Smithfield Station
2019 Community Ambassadors
Our Ambassadors supported our local tourism industry and businesses by bringing their meetings, groups & events to town.
Congratulations:
Jim Abicht – Smithfield Music
Margarita Castillo – Main Street Mile
Matt Moore – Main Street Mile
Mary Cole – Sundays at Four
Elaine Dairo – Friday Night Summer Concert Series
John Edwards – Friday Night Summer Concert Series
Justin Emanuel – Horsepower on Main
Cristin Emrick –6-Pack Run & Hog Jog
Anne Garland – The Nelms House
Suzy Brett – Smithfield Woman’s Club Flea Market
Teresa Frantz - Smithfield Woman’s Club Flea Market
Mary Simmons – Smithfield Woman’s Club Flea Market
Trey Gwaltney – Christmas in Smithfield Antiques Show
Lanny Hinson – Ghosts & Saints Ghost Walk and Court Day
Bill & Betsy Egan – Open Mic Night
Tammy & Lee Harper – Open Mic Night
Jessica Healy– Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce Big Pig Bike Race
Daryl Rankin– Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce Big Pig Bike Race
Gina Ippolito – Smithfield VA Events
Randy Pack – Smithfield VA Events
Smithfield Little Theatre (Kristen Marchant)
Elizabeth Moose – Toys for Tots
Michael Murphy – Optimist Run and Chilly Bob Roadrace
Tracey Neikirk – Isle of Wight County Museum
Kathy Peterson – YMCA Sprint
Charles Seward – Volksmarch
Smithfield Lions Club – Cruz-In Car Shows
2019 Hambassador
Our Hambassador Program offers employees and volunteers in the tourism industry the opportunity to learn about local attractions and the tourism bureau by taking a familiarization tour and an online customer service training course. Congratulations Brooke Winslow!
Tourism staff Kathy Mountjoy, Deb Frank and Bill Hanlon entertained attendees at the breakfast. In celebration of the "Virginia is for Lovers" slogan's 50th anniversary, they took us back in time to 1969 with a special rendition of "If you're going to San Francisco" rewritten by Bill "Foxboy Bill" for Smithfield!