Lake Tahoe businesses and employees honored at Blue Ribbon Awards

The winners for the 8th annual Blue Ribbon Awards were announced Thursday night to a sold out dinner and ceremony at Montbleu Resort Casino and Spa. 300 community members attended to celebrate the winners of seven awards that honor exceptional South Shore businesses for their excellence in service, entrepreneurship, tourism and experience.

Guests experienced a cocktail hour in Blu Nightclub with live music from Jesse Kalin, door prizes and a photo booth before enjoying a three-course meal provided by Montbleu. Emcees Jason Collin, outgoing Tahoe Chamber Chairman of the Board, and Meghan Burk of Getaway Reno/Tahoe announced the winners of the Blue Ribbon Awards.

A new addition to the awards program and a highlight of the evening was the inaugural Ambassador of the Year Award. The award was presented by incoming Chairman of the Board, Michael McLaughlin and given to longtime volunteer and Ambassador Allegra Boyd. As Tahoe Chamber’s most senior ambassador, Allegra demonstrates the character and leadership qualities that exemplify the Tahoe Chamber Ambassador Program, which include integrity, honesty, commitment and interest in the welfare of the South Shore business community.

Tahoe Chamber gathered over 150 nominations from the community that were then weighed by the Blue Ribbon Awards committee, which consists of Tahoe Chamber board members, community members, past winners and chamber staff. Award winners receive special recognition on TahoeChamber.org and special signage for their place of business while the customer service award winners receive a special “stay-cation” package of their choosing.

The following are the winners for the 8th annual Blue Ribbon Awards:

Experience Award – Sponsored by Marriott Grand Residence Club
Winner: Rock Tahoe Marathon, Epic Tahoe Adventures
Honorable Mention: Camp Richardson Corral

Tourism Award – Sponsored by Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority
Winner: Summer Concert Series, Harveys Lake Tahoe
Honorable Mention: Lakeview Commons, City of South Lake Tahoe

Geotourism Award – Sponsored by El Dorado County
Winner: Heavenly Mountain Resort
Honorable Mention: Lake Tahoe Museum, Lake Tahoe Historical Society

Entrepreneur Award – Sponsored by Getaway Reno/Tahoe
Winner: Brian and Angela Luke, Artemis Mediterranean Grill and Lakefront Café
Honorable Mention: Mike Leeper and Pat Farrah, Lucky Beaver Bar and Burger

Customer Service Award – Sponsored by Heavenly & Kirkwood Mountain Resorts
Winner: Salvador Delgado, Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel
Honorable Mention: Eric Campbell, Bank of the West
Public Agency Service – Sponsored by Tahoe Supply Company
Winner: Janelle Thomas and Tony Angelopoulos, Nevada Department of Transportation
Honorable Mention: Katherine Miller, South Lake Tahoe Library

The Wendell Award for a Green Business or Program– Sponsored by South Tahoe Refuse & Recycling
Winner: Lake Tahoe Golf Course
Honorable Mention: SUP Tahoe

Tahoe Chamber thanks Montbleu Resort Casino and Spa for hosting the 2015 Blue Ribbon Awards. Tahoe Chamber also thanks Title Sponsor Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority and Presenting Sponsor South Tahoe Alliance of Resorts, as well as our awards sponsors listed above. Thanks to South Shore Sponsors Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Lake Tahoe, Camp Richardson Historical Resort, Round Hill Pines Beach Resort, Lakeside Inn and Casino and Barton Health; Blue Business Sponsors Bike the West, Winters Construction Group, Strategic Marketing Group, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and NCE; Entertainment Sponsor Epic Tahoe Adventures; and Media Sponsors Tahoe Daily Tribune, Lake Tahoe Television, K-Tahoe and KOWL/KRLT.
Congratulations to all past and present Blue Ribbon Award winners and nominees!

Picture (L to R): John Packer (Harrah’s/Harveys), Pete Sonntag (Heavenly Mountain Resort), Sean Sweeney (Epic Tahoe Adventures), Senator Ted Gaines, Jason Collin (Epic Tahoe Adventures), Kevin Sommerfeld (Lake Tahoe Golf Course), Bobby Jaeger (Lake Tahoe Golf Course), Janelle Thomas (Nevada Department of Transportation), Jess Schnoll (Epic Tahoe Adventures), Angela Luke (Artemis Lakefront Café), Brian Luke (Artemis Lakefront Café), Salvador Delgado (Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel)
Photo credit: Scott Shephard