December 22, 2017

Winners to be Announced at Fifth Annual Awards Event at Bernards Inn on January 19; Hospitality Expert Glenn Haussman Will Keynote

Somerset County Tourism has announced the nominees for the 5^th annual Salute to Tourism awards, which will honor employees and organizations throughout Somerset County, N.J. in three categories: Economic Champion, Service Excellence and Tourism Champion. The program pays tribute to front line tourism staff and organizations that set the bar for the Somerset County Tourism industry.

The Salute to Tourism Awards event will be held on Friday, January 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Bernards Inn, 27 Mine Brook Rd in Bernardsville, N.J.; it will include the awards presentation and keynote luncheon with hospitality expert, writer, travel podcaster and consultant, Glenn Haussman. The awards selection committee comprises representatives from fellow New Jersey Destination Marketing Organizations.

The 2018 nominees are as follows:

• Economic Champion – An individual or organization that has made a significant and direct impact on the Somerset County economy through visitor spend, job creation, or increased tax revenues.
  • Flounder Brewing Co., Hillsborough
  • Franklin Day Festival, Franklin
  • Natirar Resort Development LLC, Peapack-Gladstone

• Service Excellence: A Somerset County tourism professional who has demonstrated outstanding customer service at a county tourism asset.
  • Jill Cerchio, Hampton Inn & Suites Bridgewater
  • Fran Frederick, Homewood Suites Bridgewater/Branchburg
  • Monica Juhasz, Somerset County Environmental Education Center, Basking Ridge
  • Lisa Sepulveda, Branchburg Sports Complex, Branchburg

• Tourism Champion: An individual or organization that has promoted Somerset County’s attributes and resources to help establish the destination brand and draw more visitors.
  • Heritage Trail Association, Bridgewater
  • Jacobus Vanderveer House & Museum, Bedminster
  • Jenna Intersimone, Journalist, USA Today Network
  • Somerset County 4-H Fair, Bridgewater
  • Somerset County Environmental Education Center, Basking Ridge
  • Somerset Patriots, Bridgewater
  • Tapastre Restaurant & Bar, Somerville
  • The Tour of Somerville, Somerville

To register for Salute to Tourism, go to bit.ly/salute2018.