Fort Smith tourism award winners announced

Sandi Sanders and James Collins captured the individual honors in the 6th Annual R.O.S.E. Awards announced Thursday night.

The awards program is managed by the Fort Smith Convention & Visitors Bureau, and winners were decided by a popular vote hosted by The City Wire. The R.O.S.E. (Recognition of Service Excellence) Awards applaud Fort Smith area citizens and businesses that consistently go above and beyond in their efforts to serve visitors to Fort Smith and enhance the area’s hospitality and tourism industry with their continuing commitment to service excellence, according to the Fort Smith CVB.

Sanders was named the “Polly Crews Hospitality Person of the Year” for her work as project director with the U.S. Marshals Museum, which will be located in Fort Smith. The award bears the name of the late Polly Crews in honor and memory of her many years of service to the Fort Smith area’s tourism and hospitality industry.

“This award is for an individual who has spent many years in service to the citizens of Fort Smith and to the area’s visitors,” noted the statement from the Fort Smith CVB.

Collins was named “The Hometown Hospitality Hero of the Year” for his work with the Fort Smith Juniors Volleyball Club, organizing the annual “Battle at the Fort” Volleyball Tournament. The tournament brought more than 156 teams to the Fort Smith/Van Buren area in February, resulting in an estimated economic impact of more than $2.4 million.

Other winners were:
• “Corporate Partner of the Year” — Choctaw Casino.
This award recognizes a company or organization that contributes significant time and resources to enhance the area’s ability to successfully host groups of visitors.

• “Guest Service Provider of the Year” — Courtyard by Marriott
This award recognizes the individual, staff or team who consistently provide exceptional guest and customer service. The 138-room downtown hotel owned and operated by John Q. Hammons Hotels opened in 2007.

• “Hospitality Partner of the Year” — Greater Fort Smith Sports Council
This award is for an organization, hotel, restaurant, attraction or retail business that provides exceptional services to the visiting public and Fort Smith area citizens.