2018 P.R.I.D.E. Awards Winners

Another great P.R.I.D.E. Awards has come and gone, and we have the pics that show what a great event it was. Special guests included Louisiana Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and the reigning Miss Louisiana USA, Lauren Vizza. 

A few of the big winners for 2018 included: Chef Hardette Harris, Outstanding Attraction Professional of the Year; Josh Robinson, Outstanding Hotel Executive; Taylor Hairston, Outstanding Tourism and Hospitality Employee; and Keysha Hayes, Outstanding Slot/Table Games Professional.

Several local individuals and organizations were singled out for honors due to their efforts on behalf of the tourism and hospitality industry. Local musician and music tourism advocate, Winston Hall, received the Local Influencer Award for his efforts to promote local awareness of Shreveport-Bossier’s regional music history. Camp Minden’s Louisiana National Guard Youth Challenge Program was honored for the huge number of volunteer hours that they contributed to major events including the Red River Balloon Rally. Organizers of the 2017 Louisiana Municipal Association Statewide Annual Convention received an award for bringing their 1,600-delegate conference to Shreveport-Bossier in July.    

The 2018 P.R.I.D.E. Master Award, the evening’s top honor, went to Ms. Mary Dunn. Dunn was hailed as someone who has “single-handedly improved the quality of life in northern Caddo Parish communities” through her work with the Christmas on Caddo Fireworks Festival and other events. A complete list of 2018 P.R.I.D.E. Award winners, as well as a gallery of photos from the evening, is available for viewing at www.Shreveport-Bossier.org until Thursday, May 17.    

The individuals who won P.R.I.D.E. Awards this year come from all walks of life. They are hotel executives, veterans, volunteers, valets, housekeepers, and food servers. But, as different as they are, they share a common bond: they are the faces of the tourism and hospitality industry in Shreveport-Bossier.

Click here to see photos of the event

Congratulations to all the winners of a 2018 P.R.I.D.E. Award:

Outstanding Front Desk and Guest Service Professional - Pamela Johnson of Margaritaville Resort Casino

Outstanding Attraction Professional of the Year - Hardette Harris of Pure Louisiana Soul Food Tours and Tastings

Outstanding Banquet and Catering Professional - Larry Norwood of Hilton Hotel Shreveport

Outstanding Bellman - Traig Bailey of Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino

Outstanding Culinary Professional - Blake Jackson of Whisk Dessert Bar and Drake Catering

Outstanding Ongoing Event - Bossier City Farmers’ Market, accepted by Chris Graham

Outstanding One-Time Event - AVTT Traveling Vietnam Wall, accepted on behalf of Margaritaville Resort Casino by Leslie Peck.

Outstanding Food Server - A.J. Desaj of Athena Greek and Lebanese Grill

Outstanding Bartender - Christopher DeGueurce of The Noble Savage Tavern

Outstanding Hotel Executive Full Service - Josh Robinson of Margaritaville Resort Casino

Outstanding Hotel Executive Focused Service - Gary Theus of Residence Inn Shreveport-Bossier City/Downtown

Outstanding Hotel Non-Sales Executive Full Service - Michael Tyler of Horseshoe Casino & Hotel

Outstanding Hotel Non-Sales Executive Focused Service - Cheryl Casey of Homewood Suites by Hilton Shreveport

Outstanding Hotel Sales Professional Full Service - Jamie Williams of Horseshoe Casino & Hotel

Outstanding Hotel Sales Professional Focused Service - Ashley Ard of Homewood Suites by Hilton Shreveport

Outstanding Housekeeping Professional - Sharon Calloway of Woodspring Suites Shreveport-Bossier City

Outstanding Operations Professional - Chris Cotner of Hilton Shreveport

Outstanding Slot/Table Games Professional - Keysha Hayes of Harrah’s Louisiana Downs

Outstanding Tourism and Hospitality Employee - Taylor Hairston of Margaritaville Resort Casino

Outstanding Transportation Professional - James Groves of Horseshoe Casino & Hotel

Outstanding Valet - Aaron Henry of Hilton Hotel Shreveport and Parking Management Services

Outstanding Volunteer - Tiffany Beauchamp of Horseshoe Casino and Hotel

2017 Louisiana Municipal Association Statewide Annual Convention, hosted by the City of Shreveport. Accepting this award is Karen Barnes

40&8 Conference 98th Promenade Nationale, accepted by Milt Harrison and Hank Kwiatkowski

Simpleview Star Award - Hilton Garden Inn Shreveport-Bossier City, accepted by Ray Ferland

Media Partner Award - Stephanie Pace of LAMAR Outdoor Advertising

Local Influencer Award - Winston Hall

Hospitality Spirit of Giving Award - Texas Roadhouse Kid’s Tour, accepted by Katie Tippen of Texas Roadhouse

Brand Awareness Award - Robin Jones of the Bossier Arts Council

Sports Community Service Award - Camp Minden - Louisiana National Guard Youth Challenge Program, accepted by Captain Goins, Director of Louisiana National Guard Youth Challenge Program Camp Minden, and Acting Commandant Sergeant Craig Sanders

Sports Commission Partner of the Year Award - Margaritaville Resort Casino, accepted by Barry Regula, General Manager, and Josh Robinson, Director of Marketing

Community Partner of the Year Award - Jerry and Rhonda Stephens

2017 Tourism Partner Award – Ken Epperson

2018 P.R.I.D.E. Master Award - Mary Dunn