GoRockford Hospitality Heroes Awards

Nominations are now closed for the 2025 Hospitality Hero Awards, celebrating individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the travel and tourism experience in Winnebago County, including Rockford, Cherry Valley, Durand, Machesney Park, Loves Park, Pecatonica, Rockton, Roscoe, Winnebago, South Beloit, and greater Winnebago County. Potential nominees could be a hotel staff member who provides exceptional customer service to guests, a server who goes out of their way to make dining in Rockford extra special, or a bartender who makes everyone feel right at home.

Awards will be presented in person throughout Travel & Tourism Week and announced on social media. Winners will be honored with a trophy recognizing their exemplary service to the hospitality community.

2024 Winners

Hotel: Tina Sumner, Holiday Inn Express
Attraction: Gina Brown, Discovery Center Museum
Sporting Venue: Milton Phillips, UW Health Sports Factory
Entertainment/Meeting Venue: Donna Johnson, Savor/ASM
Restaurant/Bar/Catering: Karla Graham, The Office Niteclub

2023 Award Winners

Hospitality Heroes Xavier Lewis

Xavier Lewis, Northern Illinois University Rockford
Catalina Moreno, Embassy Suites
Shuntae Chance, Staybridge Suites
Becky Starks, Mercyhealth Sportscore

Established in 1983, National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) is an annual tradition to celebrate the U.S. travel community and travel’s essential role in stimulating economic growth, cultivating vibrant communities, creating quality job opportunities, inspiring new businesses and elevating the quality of life for Americans every day.