Recognizing Louisville’s Top Talent in Tourism & Hospitality

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (November 14, 2025) – Louisville Tourism recognized the hospitality industry’s biggest local contributors at the highly anticipated ROSE (Recognition of Service Excellence) awards ceremony on Thursday, November 13 at The Louisville Palace. The annual event, which has been held for over 30 years, recognizes dedicated front-line representatives of the hospitality industry who make Louisville a successful destination city by enhancing the city’s visitor experiences.

The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the ROSE Award winners. There were 62 finalists this year representing eleven sectors of the industry.

The 2025 ROSE Award winners are:
Attractions: Jewell Douglas, Evan Williams Bourbon Experience
Behind the Scenes: Keith Williams, Belle Noble Entertainment Group, LLC
Culinary Arts: Laura Mejias Leonet, Louisville Marriott Downtown
Event Services: Lindsay Brough, Crushed Ice Catering
Food & Dining Experiences: Brittany Chism, Swizzle Dinner & Drinks
Guest & Retail Services: Vicky Fugitte, Michter’s Distillery
Hotel Services (over 201 rooms): Terry Mandley, Hyatt Regency
Hotel Services (under 200 rooms): Cameron LeLon, Tempo Louisville Downtown Nulu
Rising Star: Olivia Taylor, Angel’s Envy Distillery
Spirits: Daniel Fultz, Hotel Bourré Bonne
Transportation & Tours: Tony Threets, Pegasus

Additional Awards
The Louisville Hotel Association sponsored the Spirit of Hospitality Award, recognizing an “overall service champion,” which was presented to Rochelle Johnson from The Seelbach Hilton Hotel Louisville. She received a $2,000 cash prize.

The Dan Mangeot Lifetime Achievement Award, presented annually to an individual who has made significant contributions to the advancement of tourism and has a history of supporting the hospitality industry throughout their professional lifetime. This year’s recipient was the legendary Louisvillian, Tom Owen.

The Partner of the Year Award, which honors a partner who has played a pivotal role in advancing tourism initiatives, was presented to Louisville Downtown Partnership, for all their efforts contributing to making Louisville a great place to work, play, and live.

The Ambassador Awards were given to individuals who have significantly contributed to Louisville Tourism’s sales and service initiatives by helping to retain and bring convention business to Louisville. The 2025 recipients include the following:

Althea Jackson, Andrea Meriwether, Ashley Cuyjet-Fetter, Aukram Burton, Ben Moore, Brian West, Brian Wood, Carlo Kellem, CheRonda Greenlee, Chris Hartman, Danielle Burbage, David Tandy Esq., Deveenier Brooks, Erica Bailey-Fraley, Gina Yeager-Buckley, James Denny, Jasmine Causey, Jeff Crowe, Jeremy Couture, Joshua Mckee, Kendall Boyd, Kimberly Clay, Louis Nunnelley, Melissa Rift, Mike King, Mike Shouse, Nachand Trabue, Oremeyi Kareem, Richie Goff, Robert Hinkle, Shawn Summerville, Tiandra Robinson, Tom Lally, and Waymen Eddings.

“The ROSE Awards celebrate the dedicated professionals who make Louisville an exceptional place to live, work, and visit. Their commitment to hospitality and service gives our city a distinct advantage among destinations,” said Cleo Battle, Louisville Tourism President & CEO. “By creating memorable experiences for visitors, these individuals strengthen Louisville’s reputation and contribute to the city’s economic vitality.”

Each ROSE Awards winner was greeted on stage by Kentucky Secretary of Tourism Lindy Casebier and Louisville Tourism President & CEO Cleo Battle. In addition to a beautiful custom glass award by local glass artist Casey Hyland and the “ROSE Award Winner” pin, the 11 winners will also receive an impressive array of additional swag sponsored by the Louisville tourism community.

This includes a $200 gift card to Oliver's Chop House & Bourbon Bar from sponsor Derby City Gaming and Hotel, a bottle of Single Barrel Vintage Bourbon from sponsor Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, a bottle of Rose Wine from Starlight Distillery, a 2-night stay at an AJS Hotel, a box of truffles from Art Eatables, drink tokens to High Stakes Rooftop Grill at Tempo by Hilton Louisville Downtown Nulu, a gift pass and ornament for the Howard Steamboat Museum, a mini Derby Pie from Kern’s Kitchen, and an overnight stay with brunch at the Louisville Marriott Downtown. Winners received gift certificates to 8UP Elevated Drinkery & Kitchen, Five Iron Golf, Forme Millinery, Mark’s Feed Store, Martin’s BBQ Joint, and Sunergos Coffee, as well as a one-year complimentary membership to Louisville Tourism’s 78 Social Diplomat Society. Winners will also enjoy tickets to some of Louisville’s most iconic attractions, including: The Louisville Zoo, Derby Dinner Playhouse, the Howard Steamboat Museum, the Falls of the Ohio, Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company, Kentucky Kingdom, the Belle of Louisville, the Louisville Palace, Michter’s Distillery, Horse Country, and the Kentucky Derby Museum!

The travel and tourism industry is the third largest industry in Louisville, currently supporting 72,000 jobs in the city area.

Sponsors of the event include Derby City Gaming, Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, Solid Light Inc., Adventures in Advertising, Fleur de Lis Events & Design LLC, Louisville Palace, Crushed Ice Catering, Hatfield Media, PartyZone! Productions, Louisville Hotel Association, and Jason Brumfield Catering.