National Travel & Tourism Week Awards 

Visit Bucks County celebrates National Travel & Tourism Week by honoring exceptional contributions to the local tourism workforce in four categories each year. 

The Visit Bucks County Award, established in 2009, recognizes individuals and organizations that significantly contribute to Bucks County's tourism and hospitality industry. Originally presented annually in October, the awards are now given during National Travel & Tourism Week in May. 

2024 

Guest Service Excellence Award: Dennis Brislin, Sesame Place 

Hospitality Leadership Award: Alicia Singh, Holiday Inn Express Bensalem 

Rising Star Award: Ahmani Taylor, Hiltons of Warrington 

Tourism Innovation Award: Christopher Marano, Bucks County Joyrides 

Visit Bucks County Award: 

• Justin Seery, Peddler’s Village 

• Ryan Seiz & Tim Taber, Warwick Farm Brewing 

• Jennifer Martin, Friends of Washington Crossing Historic Park 

2023 

Guest Excellence: Jill Dansereau, Pearl S. Buck International 

Hospitality Leadership: Grant Ross, The Black Bass 

Rising Star: Taylor Kruopas, Arete 

Tourism Innovation: River House at Odette’s 

Visit Bucks County Award:  

• Heather McGurrin, From The Locals  

• Brian Cummings, County of Bucks 

2022 

Guest Excellence: Kathy Cuddihy, Fox & Hound Bed & Breakfast 

Hospitality Leadership: Joe Ferry, Perkasie Towne Improvement Association & Stephen Barth, Barth Consulting Group 

Rising Star: Emily Seltzer, River House at Odette’s 

Tourism Innovation: Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle 

Visit Bucks County Award: Brittany Brown, Britt Around Town 

2021 

Guest Service Excellence: Kelly Doody, Holiday Inn Express Bensalem 

Hospitality Leadership: Sherry Jackson, Candlewood Suites 

Rising Star: MaryLou Henderson, Continental Tavern 

Tourism Innovation: Moss Mill Brewing Company 

Visit Bucks County Award: Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association 

2019 

Community Service Award: Jef Buehler, Experience Yardley  

Guest Service Excellence Award: Jessica Siedler,  

Hospitality Leadership Award: Shante Annigew, Candlewood Suites 

Rising Star Award: Nicole Joie, Arete Gallery 

Dedicated Partner Award: New Hope Celebrates 

Visit Bucks County Award: 

• Glenn Blakely & Ray Kasper, Friends of Washington Crossing Park 

• The Faure Family, Golden Pheasant Inn & Restaurant 

• Adele Gamble, Ghost Tours of New Hope  

• The Snipes Family, Snipes Farm & Education Center 

2018 

Community Service Award: Parx Casino 

Guest Service Excellence Award: Greg Hartley, Bristol Riverside Theatre 

Hospitality Leadership Award: Marie Toner, Pearl S. Buck International 

Rising Star Award: Kevin Kelly,  

Dedicated Partner: Ann Lipcsey, Peddler’s Village 

Visit Bucks County Award: 

• Dr. Vail P. Garvin, President & CEO, Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce 

• Frank Lyons, Proprietor, Continental Tavern; VP, Friends of Washington Crossing Board 

• Robert G. Loughery, Chairman, County Commissioners 

2017 

Community Service Award: Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve 

Guest Service Excellence Award: Jeanne Schmalz, Peddler’s Village  

Hospitality Leadership Award: Beatrice Briggs, Bridgeton House on the Delaware 

Rising Star Award: Bryan Klimberg, Sesame Place 

Dedicated Partner: Christine Triantos, Peddler’s Village 

Visit Bucks County Award: 

• Miles Arnott, Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve 

• Jeanne & Frank Cretella, Landmark Hospitality 

• Kathy & Jerry Forest, Buckingham Valley Vineyard 

• Nadine Silnutzer & Carl Glassman, Wedgewood Inn of New Hope 

• Paul Licitra, New Hope Restaurateur 

2016 

Community Service Award: Discover Doylestown 

Guest Service Excellence Award: Natalie Blumberg, Holiday Inn & Suites Quakertown 

Hospitality Leadership Award: Naomi Naylor, Quakertown Alive! 

Rising Star Award: Jessica Nugent, Sesame Place 

Dedicated Partner: Joe Capone, Friends of Washington Crossing Historic Park 

Visit Bucks County Award: 

• Bill Pezza, President, “Raising the Bar” Bristol  

• Elissa M. Garofalo, President, Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor  

• Kelly Krumenacker, Founder, Bucks County Children’s Museum  

• Sandra A. Miller, Former Bucks County Commissioner  

2015 

Community Service Award: Byers’ Choice 

Guest Service Excellence Award: Sheri Montai, Caleb’s American Kitchen 

Hospitality Leadership Award: Natalie Blumberg, Holiday Inn & Suites Quakertown 

Rising Star Award: Norma Williams, Holiday Inn Express Bensalem 

Dedicated Partner: Charles Yeske, Moravian Pottery & Tile Works 

Visit Bucks County Award: 

• Christine & Tom Carroll Sr., Owners, Crossing Vineyards & Winery  

• Douglas Dolan, Executive Director & President Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle  

• Elayne Brick & William Quigley, Owners, Washington House Restaurant & Sellersville Theater  

• Larry Keller, Mayor, Borough of New Hope  

• Lisa Tremper Hanover, Director & CEO, James A. Michener Art Museum  

2014 

Community Service Award: Sesame Place 

Guest Service Excellence Award: Harold Michener, Bristol Cultural & Historic Foundation 

Hospitality Leadership Award: Michael Conti, New Hope Winery 

Rising Star Award: Dave Peoples, Hampton Inn Doylestown 

Dedicated Partner: Eve Moody, Shady Brook Farm 

Visit Bucks County Award: 

• Jeffrey L. Marshall, President, Heritage Conservancy  

• Kevin & Sherri Dougherty, Founders, Bridge Street Foundation  

• Susan Taylor, Executive Director, Friends of the Delaware Canal  

• Tara King, Executive Director, Upper Bucks County Chamber of Commerce  

• William F. Haas, Owner, Pen Ryn Estate  

2013 

Community Service Award: Newtown Athletic Club 

Guest Service Excellence Award: Jack Shire, Marsha Browns 

Hospitality Leadership Award: Maetal Zmora, Crowne Plaza Hotel 

Rising Star Award: Rayna Adams, Bristol Riverside Theatre 

Dedicated Partner: Rosemary Snyder, Mid-Atlantic Treasures 

Visit Bucks County Award: 

• Honorable Jim Cawley, Lieutenant Governor, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania  

• Joseph Maxian, Owner/Winemaker, Sand Castle Winery  

• Ron Davis, Chief Diversity Officer & Director of Community Development, Parx Casino & Racing 

• Sharon Rossi, Vice President of Advertising & strategic Alliances, Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation  

• Susan D. Atkinson, Founding Artistic Director, Bristol Riverside Theatre  

2012 

Community Service Award: Skip’s Candies 

Guest Service Excellence Award: Michael Joyce, Sesame Place 

Hospitality Leadership Award: Olga Lopez Rose, Wedgewood Inn 

Rising Star Award: Christy Gallagher, New Hope & Ivyland Railroad 

Dedicated Partner: Tabitha Dardes, Pennsbury Manor 

Visit Bucks County Award: 

• Earl Jamison Family, Peddler’s Village  

• John Godzieba, President, Friends of Washington Crossing Park  

• Joseph Campbell, Former Travel Agent, Board Member, Visit Bucks County  

• Michael Amery, Proprietor, Inn at Bowman’s Hill  

• Mike Churchville, Executive Director, Sportsplex