Bloomington MN Diamond Service Awards
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Radisson Blu Mall of America
Providing outstanding customer service is key to ensuring repeat business and growth for the Bloomington hospitality industry. The Bloomington Diamond Service Awards are produced by the Bloomington Convention & Visitors Bureau, in partnership with industry representatives. We salute outstanding customer service employees in tourism, hospitality and retail industries who celebrate those who enhance Bloomington's reputation as a world-class visitor destination.
View 2013 event photographs
View 2013 award winners brochure
View the DSA Sponsor video
17th Annual Diamond Service Award Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
AVEX
COLOURS Marketing + Design
edgProductions
Greenspring Media Group
Nickelodeon Universe®
PSAV
Patrick's Bakery
Radisson Blu Mall of America
Sysco
Gala Sponsor
Mall of America®
Reinhart FoodService
US Foodservice
Diamond Sponsors
Famous Dave's Bar-B Que
Kokomo's Island Cafe
Radisson Hotel Bloomington by Mall of America
Sons of Norway
The Fish Guys, Inc.
Beverage Sponsors
Farmer Brothers Coffee
J.J. Taylor
Johnson Brothers
Trinchero Family Estates
Contributing Sponsors
A & M Group
Best Western Plus Bloomington - Mall of America
Country Inn and Suites Mall of America
Courtyard Minneapolis Bloomington
Crowne Plaza Bloomington
Crowne Plaza Minneapolis International Airport Hotel and Suites
Davanni's
Delta Vacations
Festival of Nations
Flowerama
MW Tux
Minnesota Zoo
New French Bakery
Outback Steakhouse
Park Plaza Bloomington
Park Square Theatre
Science Museum of Minnesota
St. Croix Retail & Promotions
Trillium Spa
Ultimate Events
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Mohammed Raki, 2013 Hospitality Hall of Fame
The Hospitality Hall of Fame honors commitment and longevity in the tourism and hospitality industry in Bloomington. Thank you, Mohammed, for your 38 years of service to Bloomington's hospitality industry.
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Kristy Grunklee, Radisson Hotel Bloomington by Mall of America, Best Bartender
Finalists: Steve Bergesen - Crowne Plaza Hotel & Suites Minneapolis, Kim Frost - Woolley's Restaurant, Chris Rodehaver - Radisson Hotel Bloomington by Mall of America, and Sai Rosser - Crowne Plaza Bloomington
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Donald Thomas, Crowne Plaza Hotel & Suites Minnepaolis, Best Busser/Dishwasher
Finalists: Guadalupe Chavarin - Hilton Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport, Shawn Ringer - Napa Valley Grille, Alicia Stillwell - American Girl Boutique and Bistro, and Larry Winkleman - DoubleTree by Hilton Bloomington-Minneapolis South
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Jorge Hernandez, Crowne Plaza Bloomington, Best Engineer/Maintenance Personnel
Finalists: Michael Doughty - Holiday Inn Express & Suites Minneapolis Airport, Sulayman Njie - Holiday Inn Express & Suites Minneapolis Airport, Jack Pence - Crowne Plaza Hotel & Suites Minneapolis, and Sabino Rivera - Crowne Plaza Bloomington
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Mauricio Condo, Woolley's Restaurant, Best Food Production Personnel
Finalists: Aclema Eggert - Country Inn & Suites Mall of America, Armando Portillo - Radisson Hotel Bloomington by Mall of America, Roger Reyes - Crowne Plaza Bloomington, and Casey Winsell - Woolley's Restaurant
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Bonnie Nagle, Crowne Plaza Hotel & Suites Minneapolis, Best Guest Relations Personnel
Finalists: Susan Cooper - Minneapolis Airport Marriott, Lauren Hansen - Water Park of America, Abbie Mills - Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington Hotel, and Leslye Taylor - Sofitel Minneapolis
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Olinda Ross, Residence Inn Minneapolis/Bloomington, Best Heart of the House Personnel
Finalists: Yared Lemma - Crowne Plaza Hotel & Suites Minneapolis, Judy Nieto - Hilton Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport, Gina Schluneger - American Girl Boutique and Bistro, and Jason Tello - DoubleTree by Hilton Bloomington-Minneapolis South
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Julie Rynkowski, Ramada Mall of America, Best Hospitality Administration
Finalists: Alexandra Cummings - Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington Hotel, Amber Owens - Country Inn & Suites Mall of America, Yvette Peters - Water Park of America, and Tracy Peterson - American Girl Boutique and Bistro
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Ann Challeen, Radisson Hotel Bloomington by Mall of America, Best Host/Hostess
Finalists: Nicole Beaton - Kokomo's Island Cafe, Alisha Brechon - Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que Mall of America, Loretta Merz - Crowne Plaza Hotel & Suites Minneapolis, and Jennifer Rief - Cowboy Jack's Saloon Bloomington
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Rhoda Randle, Hilton Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport, Best Hotel Reservations/Guest Services (Full Service)
Finalists: Liisa Bakke - Crowne Plaza Hotel & Suites Minneapolis, Willie Green - Radisson Hotel Bloomington by Mall of America, Brehan Melgar - Sofitel Minneapolis, and Nichole O'Keefe - Sofitel Minneapolis
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Kristina Notaro, Country Inn & Suites Mall of America, Best Hotel Reservations/Guest Relations (Limited Service)
Finalists: Pierre Curd - Country Inn & Suites Mall of America, Lucia Johnson - Hilton Garden Inn Minneapolis/Bloomington, Scott Knudson - Country Inn & Suites West, and Benjamin Mohs - Comfort Inn Airport
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Gabriella Gonzalez, Radisson Hotel Bloomington by Mall of America, Best Hotel/Housekeeping Personnel (Full Service)
Finalists: Floridalia Dominguez - Sofitel Minneapolis, Donald Post - Crowne Plaza Hotel & Suites Minneapolis, Noel Rodriguez - Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington Hotel, and Erendira Solorio - Crowne Plaza Bloomington
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Cynthia Cardenas, Hyatt Place Minneapolis Airport-South, Best Hotel/Housekeeping Personnel (Limited Service)
Finalists: Manuel Gonzolez - Country Inn & Suites West, Laura Lopez - Hyatt Place Minneapolis Airport-South, Marcelina Luke - Country Inn & Suites Mall of America, and Rukhia Yusuf - Hampton Inn & Suites
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Kim Lee, American Girl Boutique and Bistro, Best Retail Sales Associate
Finalists: Addie Davis - St. Croix Retail/SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium Gift Shop, Mary Halvorson - American Girl Boutique and Bistro, Kiaya Pajak - Radisson Hotel Bloomington by Mall of America, and Bonnie Sell - American Girl Boutique and Bistro
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Teri O'Neill, Ramada Mall of America, Best Server, Banquet/Catering
Finalists: Simeon Escobar - Crowne Plaza Hotel & Suites Minneapolis, Cindy Lambert - Minneapolis Airport Marriott, Melinda Lene - Crowne Plaza Hotel & Suites Minneapolis, and Paulo Mora - Radisson Hotel Bloomington by Mall of America
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Illisha Lin, Crowne Plaza Bloomington, Best Server, Hotel Restaurant
Finalists: Gayle Kenow - Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington Hotel, Kelly Mayer - Woolley's Restaurant, Jaime Mejia - Woolley's Restaurant, and Sue Miller - Woolley's Restaurant
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Sara Sorensen, American Girl Boutique and Bistro, Best Server Restaurant
Finalists: Jordan Berg - Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que Mall of America, Jasmine Carlstrom - American Girl Boutique and Bistro, Kate Englestad - Cowboy Jack's Saloon Bloomington, and Mishelle Rapaich - Kokomo's Island Cafe
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Bryan Bassett, DoubleTree by Hilton Bloomington/Minneapolis South, Best Valet/Driver
Finalists: Simeon Escobar - Ramada Bloomington / Minneapolis Airport Hotel at Mall, Owen Good - Hampton Inn & Suites, Ali Ozdemir - Park Plaza, and Brenda Pinc - Embassy Suites Bloomington
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Bruce Karstadt, Spirit of Hospitality 2013
The Spirit of Hospitality Award is presented to an individual or company who has made a significant contribution to the travel and hospitality industry. This award embodies the spirit of commitment to the success and future of Minnesota and Bloomington as elite visitor destinations. This year’s recipient, Mr. Bruce Karstadt, is President and CEO of The American Swedish Institute.