Staff honoured at awards night
The cream of the Black Country's tourism industry flocked to a glittering awards ceremony to honour the region's top attractions and their staff.
Gongs were given out for everything from the best receptionist of 2007 to the festival or event of the year, at the Copthorne Hotel, in Brierley Hill, last night.
The evening was hosted by Apprentice runner-up Ruth Badger. The glittering occassion was the second annual awards ceremony.
More than 300 professionals from the Black Country packed into the hotel's conference room for the regional hotel and tourist industry's answer to the Oscars.
Winner of the prestigious Outstanding Customer Service award was David Riley, better known to many as Dr Dudley, from Dudley Zoo.
He said he was delighted with the win, which he put down to his enthusiasm for the role.
"I suppose I'm a really friendly person but it's probably also because of my ability to dress up in lots of silly outfits," he said.
"I'm very happy and also very proud to be representing Dudley Zoo."
Hannah Parkes, aged 22, from Netherton, scooped the top prize for Housekeeper of the Year for the second year running, for her work at Copthorne Hotel Merry Hill.
"It's amazing to win it again," she said. "A lot of it is thanks to my boss, Veronica, who always makes sure I work really hard."
Caroline Rea, who works at the Fairlawns at Aldridge, came out on top in the Tomorrow's Manager of the Year category after an innovative presentation to the judges.
The 21-year-old from Streetly said: "I used a Jenga game to show how if you take certain aspects away from a manager, then it can all fall down. I wasn't expecting to win, it's just a big shock."
And Copthorne Hotel Merry Hill receptionist, Matthew Gallimore, from Wordsley, had an extra reason to celebrate his 24th birthday today after picking up the prize for Receptionist of the Year.
"I was a bit nervous collecting the award but it was great to win," he said.
Ruth Badger paid tribute to the region's tourism industry.
"We in the Black Country are as good as it gets," she said. "This is a great way of putting the region on the map and making other regions sit up and think.
"I am proud to be from where I am from and I will continue to champion the Black Country in the UK and throughout Europe." Other winners included Molineux Conference and Banqueting Centre for Business Tourism of the Year and Wolverhampton Civic Halls as the Large Visitor Attraction of the Year.
