Destination Madison Awards 2024
The Destination Madison Awards (DMAs) are the highlight of our year—a chance for us to gather and celebrate the outstanding individuals who contribute to our hospitality community. We are excited to announce two new awards this year: the Sustainability Excellence Award and the MASC Sports Champion of the Year Award.
Nominations are reviewed individually by a selection committee comprised of a cross-section of industry professionals. There are six award categories. Finalists will be chosen per category by the selection committee, and all nominees are invited to attend the Summer Summit + DMAs on June 27, 2024 at The Edgewater where winners will be announced live.
Congratulations to the 2024 DMA nominees!
Jump to award categories
Rising Star Award
The Rising Star Award recognizes individuals who have been in the industry for fewer than five years and consistently achieve excellence in their current role while demonstrating the potential to become a pivotal figure in Madison’s tourism industry. Nominations will be evaluated on examples of leadership, going above and beyond to create exceptional experiences and performance-related accomplishments.
Nominees
Rhea Bradley
Director of Sales
Hotel Indigo Madison
Nate Brundage
Front Office Supervisor
The Edgewater
Amanda Chestnut
Owner
Disorderly Conduct Rage Room
Lily Cramer
Senior Sales Coordinator
The Edgewater
Alexis Devlin
Sales Coordinator
Clarion Suites at the Alliant Energy Center
Mohd Fareed
Banquet Server
The Madison Concourse Hotel
Ryan Flanagan
Chief Engineer
Fairfield Madison South
Lilyan Greiveldinger
General Manager
Hodge Podge
Kaitlyn Konrardy
Manager of Guest Services
Overture Center for the Arts
Robin Kraszka
Guest Services Manager
Hampton Inn and Suites Madison Downtown
Merritt Kugel
Reservations Specialist
Best Western Premier Park Hotel
Chelsie Leslie
General Manager
Bar Corallini
Mary Lopez
Kitchen Staff
Short Stack Eatery
Emilio Mora
Assistant Front Office Manager
Sheraton Madison Hotel
Joe Murray
Events & Groups Coordinator
NCG Hospitality
Sasha Rosser
Producer
Cheshire Cat Comedy
Julia and Kristopher Steege-Reimann
Owners
Voyageur Stays
Destination Host Award
The Destination Host Award recognizes the dedication and service excellence of employees in Madison’s tourism industry who provide service directly to guests. Nominations will be evaluated on examples of customer service excellence, integrity, commitment to their role and employer and performance-related accomplishments.
Nominees
Chelsey Austin
Event Coordinator
The Rigby Bar and Grill
Garth Beyer
Owner / Founder
Garth's Brew Bar
Otehlia Cassidy
Owner
Madison Eats Food Tours
Katie Genrich
Regional Director of Sales & Marketing
DoubleTree by Hilton Madison Downtown
Brian Gillogy
Bell Staff Member
The Madison Concourse Hotel
Allison Griffith
Lead Bartender
Sheraton Madison Hotel
Willie Lockett
Bartender
Sheraton Madison Hotel
David Moser
Director of Sales
Best Western Premier Park Hotel
Ryan Olson
Bell Captain
The Edgewater
Meghan Stracka
Senior Wedding Sales & Catering Manager
The Edgewater
Behind the Scenes Service Award
The Behind the Scenes Service Award recognizes the dedication and service excellence of employees in Madison’s tourism industry who work out of public view. Nominations will be evaluated on examples of service excellence, integrity, commitment to job/employer and performance-related accomplishments.
Nominees
Rikki Blair
Director of Marketing
Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison
Jeanene Ennis
Facility & Event Scheduling Coordinator
Verona Area School District
Olivia Fox
Public Area Attendant
The Madison Concourse Hotel
Patty Gonzalez
Executive Housekeeper
Homewood Suites Madison West
Sarah Hewitt
Lead Cleaner and Concierge Services Coordinator
Voyageur Stays
Consuelo Huitzil
Housekeeper
Fairfield Inn & Suites Middleton (NCG Hospitality)
Gail Johnson, Nadya Nahirniak-Hansen, Kate Verdecchia
Realtors / Relocation Team
Restaino & Associates
Lucas Lehman
Kitchen Manager
Short Stack Eatery
Eulick Mcneil
Lead Engineer
Sheraton Madison Hotel
Karabo Mypa
Reservations Lead
The Edgewater
Emma Nagy
Operations Manager
Hotel Indigo Madison
Kelly Post
Parks and Street Use Coordinator
City of Madison Parks Division
Aurelia Salas
Breakfast Attendant
Hampton Inn and Suites Madison Downtown
Kate Schommer
Pastry Chef
Short Stack Eatery
Julliana Solis
Housekeeping Manager
Clarion Suites at the Alliant Energy Center
Joe Veir
Lead Banquet Houseperson
The Madison Concourse Hotel
Brooke Zimmerman
Regional Sales Manager
NCG Hospitality
Crystal Zuniga
HR Generalist
The Edgewater
David Zuniga
Dishwasher
Short Stack Eatery
Distinguished Achievement Award
The Distinguished Achievement Award recognizes an individual who has distinguished themselves in Madison’s tourism industry by exemplifying the highest level of leadership and service. Nominations will be evaluated on examples of professional excellence, values and integrity, and outstanding achievements that represent the best of the best in our destination.
Nominees
Tom Anderson
CEO
Buck & Honey's Restaurants
Scott Faulkner
Chief Historian
The Edgewater
Terry Halverson
Manager / Bartender
The Rigby Bar and Grill
Joe Klimczak
General Manager
Cave of the Mounds
Tom Klubertanz
Director of Guest Services
Overture Center for the Arts
Dr. Lynea LaVoy
Hospitality Faculty and Program Director
Madison College
Michael Luehrs
General Manager
Embassy Suites Madison Downtown
Peter McElvanna
General Manager, Proprietor
The Coopers Tavern
David Moser
Director of Sales
Best Western Premier Park Hotel
Geoffrey Sandler
Owner
Celebrations Entertainment
Holly Jean Santroch
Executive Housekeeper
Sheraton Madison Hotel
Joel Weitz
President
Vitense Golfland
The Sustainability Excellence Award
The Sustainability Excellence Award recognizes an individual or business within the hospitality industry that demonstrates exceptional commitment to sustainable practices. This recipient should exemplify the fusion of environmental consciousness, social responsibility, and economic viability.
Nominees
Kevin Gibbons
Co-owner
Hodge Podge
Erika & Jessica Jones
Owners
Giant Jones Brewing Company
Logan Morrow
Farm Specialist
Exact Sciences
Laura Serrato & Ralph Stern
Owners
Alice Good
Delta Beer Lab
Team
Delta Beer Lab
MASC SPORTS CHAMPION of the YEAR AWARD
This award recognizes an individual or organization who has significantly contributed to the growth and development of sports participation, access or helping to bring events to the Madison community. The recipient of this award has supported the Madison Area Sports Commission to build its high-profile host history and build the local economy. In addition, the recipient’s passion for sports within our community has had a lasting impact on the lives of our residents and visitors.
Nominees
Conor Caloia
Chief Operating Officer
Forward Madison FC / Madison Mallards / Breese Stevens Field
Brad Dufek
Executive Director
Madison United Rugby
Billy Kegler
Tournament Director
Madison College, 60Eight Basketball Tournament, Competitive Mindset & Hoop Nerds
Ryan Richards
Director of Events
Red Card Athletics
