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NHLRA Hosts 97th Annual Stars of the Industry

Published Monday Nov 21, 2011

Celebrating excellence in New Hampshire's hospitality industry, the New Hampshire Lodging & Restaurant Association (NHLRA) hosted the 97th annual Stars of the Industry Awards Dinner on Wednesday November 9 at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord.
 
Each year the Stars of the Industry awards dinner celebrates individuals who exemplify the best of the state's hospitality industry. According to a NHLRA press release, the 2011 Stars of the Industry  have given back to their communities in diverse ways, spending time and energy helping numerous non-profit groups.
 
Each year the committee struggles to choose an honoree as all of our nominees are so deserving. I congratulate them all for this recognition - their commitment to their customer and to the industry. It is people like these who make New Hampshire such a special place to visit, said Mike Somers, NHLRA president and CEO.

The NHLRA awards committee, comprised of past honorees, review applications and narrow down the field of candidates to three finalists per category. In Academy Awards style, honorees are kept a closely guarded secret until revealed at the awards dinner.
 
The 2011 Award honorees are as follows:
 
Innkeeper of the Year
Cynthia Makris, Naswa Resort

Restaurateur of the Year
Jeff Paige, Cotton

Allied Member of the Year
Tom Minkler, Clark Mortenson Agency
 
Employee of the Year - Lodging
Vivian Stamelos, Sheraton Harborside Portsmouth Hotel
 
Employee of the Year - Restaurant
Lisa Tremblay, Fosters Boiler Room
 
Green Giant Award
Joel Bourassa, InnSeason Resorts Pollard Brook
 
Excellence in Education
Joan Fossum, Pittsfield Middle High School
 
The dinner also included recognition of the State Winners of the National Restaurant Association Restaurant Neighbor Award. Each year, the National Restaurant Association and American Express salute restaurateurs who go above and beyond in giving back to their communities through the Restaurant Neighbor Award. The 2011 Restaurant Neighbor Awards for New Hampshire are as follows:
 
State Winner National Restaurant Association Neighbor Award
Common Man Family of Restaurants

State Winner National Restaurant Association Neighbor Award
Margaritas
 
State Winner National Restaurant Association Neighbor Award
Patrick's Pub & Eatery
 
Founded in 1914, the New Hampshire Lodging & Restaurant Association (NHLRA) is a statewide, non-partisan coalition of hospitality businesses and businesses that serve this industry. With nearly 700 members statewide, NHLRA's mission is to promote, protect, and educate the foodservice and lodging industries of the state and to ensure positive business growth for our members.

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