LEXINGTON – Lexington Hospitality Awards today honored front-line staff and volunteers in the tourism industry who have demonstrated exceptional service as well as Hometown Hosts who brought conventions and events to Lexington.
“Our Service Excellence Award winners, all non-managerial staff, are the unsung heroes of hospitality for our community and the $2.4 billion tourism industry in the region,” said Mary Quinn Ramer, president of VisitLEX. “They go the extra mile to provide outstanding service to welcome visitors and residents alike to experience all that makes us unique.”
This year’s recipients are:
- Mariana Montoya - Embassy Suites Lexington Green
- Cody Boston - Glo Best Western
- Katie Dendinger - Hilton Lexington Downtown
- Emily Mezur - Marriott Lexington Griffin Gate Golf Resort & Spa
- Baille Riffe - The Campbell House, Curio Collection by Hilton
- Jerry Johnson - Carlisle Nicholas Tourism
- Monda Singai - The Manchester Hotel
- Angelina Hensley - LEXPO Exposition Services
- Jim Alcorn - Barrel House Distilling Co
- Sarah Hayden - Bella Notte
- Stephen Cline - Constitution Square Gift Shop (Danville)
- Judy Greer – Hilton Lexington Downtown
- Mike Galanis – Keeneland
- Andrew Walker - 21c Museum Hotel Lexington
- Desiree Lynley - Red Mile, INC
- Latrell Harvey - The Manchester Hotel - Lost Palm
- Kat Lawson - Woodford Reserve Distillery
- Tony Divens - KRM Wagering, LLC
- Shjanita Johnson – The Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center
- PJ Goodine – DV8 Kitchen and Bakery
- Yolanda Danforth-Staley – Coles 735 Main
- Nadine Baker – Marriott Griffin Gate Resort & Spa
- Stephen Gross – Malone’s Lansdowne
- Paul Sowders – TownePlace Suites by Marriott Richmond
- Maria Hidalgo – Courtyard Lexington South/Hamburg
Hometown Hosts
The Hometown Host Program, which was created by VisitLEX in 2004, provides support and resources to anyone in Kentucky who can influence and be instrumental in bringing meetings, conventions and events to Lexington. VisitLEX’s goal is to make the planning process easier for the Hometown Host by providing meeting and hotel options, specialty venue ideas, and creative local group activities.
These Hometown Hosts were responsible for bringing more than 28,000 room nights and $15 million of direct and indirect impact to the Bluegrass region. They brought a variety of events and meetings to Lexington – from sporting events to national conferences to professional conferences.
"These Hometown Hosts helped attract many meetings that otherwise might not have located in Lexington," VisitLEX President Mary Quinn Ramer said. "They serve a significant role -- not only in tourism and conventions but also in exposing so many visitors to the tremendous attractions that Lexington has to offer."
Here are the 2024 Hometown Host honorees, their organization and the conference/meeting they helped bring to Lexington:
Winfrey Adkins
Nostalgia Station Toy & Train Museum
Antique Toy Collectors of America 2024 Annual Fall Convention
Rodney Andrews
Dave Melanson
University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research
2024 American Coal Ash Association Fall Meeting
Appalachian Carbon Forum 2024
World of Coal Ash 2026
Sarah McGill
Lexington Fire Department
2024 Firefighter Challenge Southeast Classic
Matthew Wilson
University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences - Department of Geography
Southeastern Division of the American Association of Geographers 2025 Annual Meeting
Janet Lensing
Joe Collins
University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment - Department of Entomology
2024 Southern Plant Board Meeting
Margaret Townsend
Newtown Truffiere
2024 North American Truffle Growers Association Congress
Luke Dodd Eastern Kentucky University - Department of Biological Sciences
Piper Roby Copperhead Environmental Consulting
30th Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Bat Diversity Network 2025
Allison Soult
University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences – Department of Chemistry
American Chemical Society Biennial Conference on Chemical Education 2024
Brian Real
University of Kentucky - College of Communications & Information Studies
Library Research Seminar 8
Lisa Bemis
LBX Company
LBX 2024 Meeting
Don DeLuca
CUPA-HR Kentucky Chapter
College and University Professional Association for Human Resources 2024 Fall State Conference
Karen Brooks
Dream Factory
Dream Factory 2024 National Convention
Lance Brunner
University of Kentucky - College of Fine Arts
Contemplative Higher Education Alliance for Research, Teaching & Service 2024 Conference
Dr. John Kim
Cheri Tolle
Melissa Darsey-Coffey
UK HealthCare Markey Cancer Center
American Association for Cancer Education 2024 International Cancer Education Conference
Lisa Higgins-Hord
Joey Conrad
University of Kentucky - Office of Lifelong Learning
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute - Southern Regional Conference for Learning in Retirement
Pamela Hull
Caree McAfee
Sandra Shepherd
UK HealthCare Markey Cancer Center & University of Kentucky - College of Medicine
HPV Cancer Center Consortium 2024
Prim Wathen Hudgins
University of Kentucky - College of Medicine
UK College of Medicine - Class of 1964 Reunion
UK College of Medicine - Fall Reunion 2024
Cortney Lee
Barry Inabnet
UK HealthCare & University of Kentucky - College of Medicine
Am Assoc of Endocrine Surgeons 2026 Annual Meeting
Barry Inabnet
UK HealthCare & University of Kentucky - College of Medicine
The Society of Black Academic Surgeons 2026 Annual Meeting
Thailandria Daniels
University of Kentucky - College of Medicine
Student National Medical Association Regional Conference
Glenda George
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority INC
Alpha Kappa Alpha Cluster Retreat 2023
Alpha Kappa Alpha Kntuky Statewide Founders Day 2024
Alpha Kappa Alpha Miss Fashionetta Cotillion 2023
Alpha Kappa Alpha Coretta Scott King Spirit of Ivy Awards Luncheon
Kim Taylor
University of Kentucky Office of the Registrar
Southern Association of Collegiate Registrars & Admissions Officers 2024 Conference
Collier Philips
United States Marshals Service, Eastern District of Kentucky – London Office
International Gang Awareness Summit
Martina Vasil
University of Kentucky College of Fine Arts - School of Music
2025 American Orff-Schulwerk Association Professional Development Conference
Tracy Frauenknecht
Bluegrass Little League
Kentucky State Little League Tournament U10-U12
Vince Gabbert
Lexington Sporting Club
Northern Academy League Tournament and Lexington Sporting Club Soccer Tournament
