Jan. 12, 2009 — If tourism is the lifeblood of the St. Thomas economy, hospitality is the heart that keeps it alive. And at the heart of the grand ballroom at Marriott Frenchman's Reef on Saturday night, more than 400 people celebrated employee loyalty that, when added together, totals more than 400 years.
At the annual associate gala — called "Let's Dazzle And Shine For 2009" — executives from Marriott Frenchman's Reef and Morning Star Resort and Marriott Frenchman's Cove Hotel recognized tenured employees with an award ceremony and party that lasted into the morning with dinner, dancing, presentations and prizes.
"Because of our recession on the mainland, we have to ensure we step up our tourism product, and Marriott is one of our most prestigious hotels in the territory," said Sen. Alvin Williams, who attended the event. "I'm happy to be here and show the employees my support. They are the ambassadors to our number-one industry."
Jose Gonzalez Espinosa, Reef general manager, acknowledged the gala as "our most important event of the year."
"The most important part is recognizing our employees, our people," he said. "They built this hotel."
Among the evening's honorees were Ruby Rampersad and Mary Ryan, the first two employees on the payroll when the hotel opened in 1973.
"It's been good times, bad times, rough times and happy times," Ryan said, adding that she's "looking forward to the next 35 years."
Also recognized at the event was the associates' choice for manager of the year, Randolph "Leban" Nicholas, who received one of the evenings' loudest rounds of applause.
"Working should be working, but you should always be happy," he said. "I come to work and do what I have to do to make people feel happy."
After the candlelit dinner and awards ceremony for the tenured employees came the door-prize giveaway, ranging from gift certificates, resort stays from Trinidad to New York, and a seven-day cruise.
But the excitement in the air was commandeered by local radio personality Sheldon Turnbull. From the evening's invocation to the prize raffle, he seamlessly emceed the event and had the audience running, strutting, laughing and dancing from their seats and on stage throughout the night.
After the ceremonies, the band Spectrum kept the high-energy atmosphere going and brought the festivities to a close.
Employees honored at the gala:
— 20 years of service: Vera Morton, Alicia Henry, Charles Maynard, Janet Rawlins, Roland Georges, Edwin Turnbull, Annette Lewis, Dabe Jon and Evenette Smith;
— 25 years: Kirtley Danial, Stella St. Aimie and Jant Odlum;
— 30 years: Marinella Maynard'
— 35 years: Beulah Mae-Francis, Mary Ryan, Ruby Rampersad and Terrane Andrews;
— Associates' Choice for Manager of the Year: Randolph "Leban" Nicholas; and
— Rookie of the Year: Mohomed Ismail.
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