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VISIT TAMPA BAY’S NATIONAL TRAVEL & TOURISM WEEK LUNCHEON SPANGLED WITH LOCAL HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY’S BRIGHTEST STARS

Eighteen individuals, three convention groups honored for impacts to Hillsborough County’s Travel and Tourism

Tampa, FL (May 8, 2026) –Visit Tampa Bay and more than 500 business and community partners gathered to celebrate the hospitality industry and pay tribute to its everyday heroes during their America 250-themed National Travel and Tourism Week Luncheon at the Tampa Marriott Water Street May 7.

Eighteen individuals and three organizations were recognized for their positive support, influence and impact in attracting and creating extraordinary visitor and meeting experiences, including eight exceptional front-line workers. Ron McAnaugh, the Area General Manager at the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street and the Tampa Marriott Water Street, was also recognized with the “Gonzmart Family Ambassador of the Year Award” for his unwavering dedication to Tampa Bay’s culture, community, and tourism.

Honoring standout awardees was the summit of the annual commemorative event that opened with a rousing patriotic medley in honor of America’s 250th anniversary sung by retired U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant and beloved national anthem singer for the Tampa Bay Lightning, Sonya Bryson-Kirksey.

Building off that energy, Visit Tampa Bay President and CEO, Santiago C. Corrada, assumed his duties as master of ceremonies. Highlighting travel, and later tourism’s, essential part in encouraging people to explore and build our nation from the beginning, Corrada spoke of the industry’s trailblazers nationally and in the Tampa Bay region while emphasizing the everyday worker whose dedication has always made the industry successful.

“From the days of the first settlers to today’s contemporary traveler, exploration has always been a quintessential part of the American experience and led to the emergence of modern-day travel and tourism,” said Corrada. “Built on the initiative and hard work of those seeking to meet travelers wants and needs, the modern-day hospitality industry emerged and is successful today because of those dedicated to making visitors feel welcomed and valued. In Tampa Bay, we know that from the boardroom to the dining room to manager’s office to the hotel front desk, it’s the dedication of our nearly 62,000 hospitality workers at every level that make Tampa Bay a must-visit destination.”

In keeping with the luncheon’s patriotic theme, attendees were entertained during lunch by Dorene Collier’s Event Show Productions’ “American Celebration: Let the Good Times Roll,” featuring a celebration of living in America through the years.

Pre-lunch, guests enjoyed Americana themed activities including The Vocalitas, a female trio performing 1940’s and 1950’s era music; memorabilia of the national pastime from the Tampa Baseball Museum; a short preview of the Tampa Repertory Theatre’s upcoming performance of “Dear Jack, Dear Louise,” a story of a U.S. Army doctor and an aspiring actress who fall in love during World War Two through letters before ever meeting; a visit by President Teddy Roosevelt presented by the University of Tampa’s Plant Museum; an Americana photobooth from Colorfield Photography; and a historic display honoring travel and tourism history from the Tampa Bay History Center. 

In addition to McAnaugh, other individuals recognized were:

“Legislative Tourism Champion” recipients are members of the Florida Legislature who stood up for Hillsborough County’s hospitality industry, protecting the resources that power tourism to ensure the industry thrives.

• Sen. Darryl Rouson
• Rep. Fentrice Driskell
• Rep. Dianne Hart
• Rep. Karen Gonzalez Pittman

“Hospitality Hero Award” recipients embody hospitality excellence by creating an extraordinary experience for the millions of visitors to Tampa Bay.

• Austin Wood – Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay
• Jane Booker – Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay
• Chef Frederick Jaeger – Hillsborough College
• Arlene Bowman – Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa
• Barrie Slonim – Tampa Bay History Center
• Sonia Conway – Hyatt Place/Hyatt House Tampa Downtown
• Edith Villar – Columbia Restaurant
• Josie Ratliff – Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa USF near Busch Gardens

“Talk Up Tampa Bay Award” recipients make critical contributions in securing impactful events that made a significant economic impact to the region.

• Ida C. Walker, Tampa Police Department – For the Florida Police Chief’s Association
• Dr. Raghu Juvvadi & Dr. Sagar Galwanker – For the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin’s 44th Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly
• Jill & Troy Manthey, Manthey Hospitality – For the Passenger Vessel Association’s Annual Convention and Maritrends

A long-time sponsor of Hillsborough County Public School’s Tourism Academy, Visit Tampa Bay also took the time to recognize the next generation of hospitality industry leaders by honoring four outstanding student completers of the program. Camila Yanez Criollo from Gaither High School, Stefany Fernandez from Sumner High School, and Raynelis Goytia Diaz and Angelise Melendez from Hillsborough High School were each awarded a gift of $500 for demonstrating a passion for exploring the many pathways within the Tourism Industry. The hard work of three teachers – Miriam Cook of Gaither High School, and Misti Anderson and Kimbrly Wines from Sumner High School – were also honored.

Visit Tampa Bay’s awards luncheon was the grand finale for Tampa Bay’s celebration of National Travel and Tourism Week, recognized across the country May 3-9. The festivities kicked off last week in the Tampa Bay region with the seventh annual “Tee Off Fore Tourism” Golf Tournament April 30 at Saddlebrook Resort where more than 140 participants competed with proceeds going towards scholarships in the local community.

The celebration continued as Visit Tampa Bay, Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, and Florida’s Sports Coast engaged in friendly bowling competition at Elev8 Fun Tampa on May 1 to see who would take home the coveted Pineapple Cup. Our Pinellas County neighbors persevered in this closely contested sixth iteration of the annual tradition that highlights the friendly competition and camaraderie among fellow Destination Marketing Organizations as we look to attract visitors and promote our great region.

More recently, more than 100 partners joined Visit Tampa Bay team members May 5 for the seventh straight year of volunteering at Feeding Tampa Bay. The team sorted nearly 8,000 meals for those in need to combat hunger and food insecurity in local communities.

This signature “Tourism Gives Back” event is one example of the huge effect the Tampa Bay hospitality industry, including Visit Tampa Bay and its more than 1,000 partners, has locally. In 2025, the hospitality industry created nearly 62,000 jobs, generated nearly $9.5 billion in economic impact, and raised more than $680 million in state and local taxes in Hillsborough County.

Visit Tampa Bay’s National Travel and Tourism Luncheon was made possible thanks to generous sponsorships from our partners including presenting sponsor Tampa Steel Erecting Company. Diamond sponsors were 1905 Family of Restaurants, The Barrymore Hotel Tampa Riverwalk, The Car Park, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, and Tampa Bay Business and Wealth Magazine. Sapphire sponsors were Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay, The Current Hotel, The Florida Aquarium, Florida State Fairgrounds, Hillsborough College, Oxford Commons, Shumaker, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Suncoast Credit Union, and Tampa International Airport.