Restaurant of the Year

by Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau on December 3, 2011
ANNUAL TOURISM AWARDS HOSTED BY GWINNETT CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU RECOGNIZES TOP GWINNETT HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS

Annual Event Also Supports Local Charity, the Norcross Cluster Schools Partnership

December 3, 2011 2010 (Buford, GA) — 145 of Gwinnett’s hospitality industry professionals were in attendance at the Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center for the Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau’s (GCVB) Annual Tourism Awards and Holiday Luncheon on December 2, 2011.

“Recognizing the best in our industry is always such a challenge, with so many people working hard to drive new business to Gwinnett. We’ve had a great year, and the Tourism Awards recognize the individuals and organizations who are our partners in drawing in new business, and who consistently go above and beyond,” said Lisa Anders, GCVB Deputy Director. Anders adds “these individuals are pivotal in not just drawing meetings, events and visitors to our county, but making our visitors and events want to come back, as well as being good stewards of our community.”

Community stewardship was exemplified by the GCVB’s “Holiday Book Drive”, a charity effort to support the Norcross Cluster Schools Partnership, with their mission to support disadvantaged Gwinnett Public School students. The hospitality community collected 2,000 new and gently used books for K-3 students, 100 stockings of school supplies and a $250 VISA gift card, generously donated by the Hilton Atlanta Northeast in Norcross. NCSP board member Ranae Heaven spoke on behalf of the Partnership, and was “amazed and delighted at the support of the hospitality community. This book drive has exceeded our wildest expectations.”

The GCVB’s annual tourism awards were also distributed, with winners from across all aspects of Gwinnett’s hospitality industry.

Four hospitality professionals were named as “2011 Friends of Tourism Award Winners,” including: Barbara Mullin with Exceptional Hospitality; Lindsay Harmon, Sales Manager for the Gwinnett Braves; Amyn Bana, Owner, Purple Rain Restaurant and Yajaira Torres, Director of Sales for the Hyatt Place Duluth/Gwinnett Mall.

Other awards included:

Restaurant of the Year: Purple Rain Restaurant, Duluth

This award is given to the local restaurant that is a partner with the hospitality industry, has a positive economic effect on their area, as well as bringing in new diners for Gwinnett’s restaurant landscape.