entry/mid-level managers, supervisors, team leads, captains only - ineligible for owners, executive/senior management, executive chefs, GMs
Do your staff excel at customer service? The Shine On Awards is your chance to recognize their dedication!
Employers, managers, and anyone who oversees staff in the tourism sector are encouraged to nominate employees who consistently go above and beyond and deliver positive and welcoming service to visitors.
The Shine On Awards have been developed to recognize excellent service in all areas of front line hospitality and are awarded at an annual gala to celebrate Ottawa’s visitor economy. Nominations for award categories are compiled throughout the year and judged by a panel of industry experts to determine winners in each category, as well as a final Shine On Award winner. Winners receive prizes, and the overall winner receives a special grand prize.
Employees can only be nominated once for a Shine On Award, so be sure to fill their nomination with several examples of how they shine in their role!
Eligibility criteria
- Ottawa Tourism membership: The nominating business must be a member of Ottawa Tourism.
- Employment: The nominee must be employed at the nominating business at the time of the nomination.
- Single nominee per category: Each business can nominate only one candidate per category. If multiple nominations are submitted, the first nomination will be considered.
- Current performance: Nominations must be based on current performance and/or specific example situations.
- Category requirements: Nominations must meet all standard eligibility requirements for the category.
- Nominee consent: Consent from the nominee is recommended before submission.
- Final decision: The decisions of the Shine On Awards Selection Committee are final.
Nominations for the Shine On Awards are open until December 31 . Be sure to submit your nominations before the deadline!
For more information about the Shine On Awards, please visit Shine On Awards FAQs page.
Shine On Award categories
Discover the various Shine On Award categories for which you can nominate a front line hospitality employee in recognition of their stellar customer service and their ability to shine on as a proud ambassador of Ottawa.
Exceptional Leader
Exceptional Service: Shopping
ex: attraction gift shops, boutiques, festival/event pop-ups, specialty/grocery stores
Exceptional Service: Restaurant/Culinary
ex: servers, hosts, food runner, bus person, bar-back, mixologist, bartender, barista, line/prep/pastry cooks, bakers
Exceptional Service: Hotel
ex: front desk, executive/club lounge, hotel reservations, sales
Exceptional Service: Transportation
ex: taxi, coach, shuttle, limo, sedan, public transit, rental car/ground transportation reservations
Exceptional Service: Heart of House
ex: security, maintenance, dishwasher/stewarding, IT, room attendant, house person, laundry, marketing/communications, administrative support
Exceptional Service: Festival/Banquet/Event
ex: banquet server, banquet porter, banquet bartender, usher, ticketing, sales
Exceptional Service: Tour Services
ex: single and/or multi-stop walking, driving, biking, interpretive, specialty tours, travel/tour reservations, sales
Exceptional Service: Attraction
ex: ride operators, attraction and activity hosts, ushers, casino dealers, instructors, attraction reservations
Exceptional Service: Guest Relations
ex: valet, door attendant, porter, butler, concierge, corporate/retail/mall/airport guest relations, visitor information, greeters/ambassadors, docents
Shine on Awards winners
2023 Grand Prize Winner - Nikolay Stanchlov
Nikolay Stanchulov, a seasoned Front Desk Agent from Les Suites Ottawa, embodies exceptional guest service and dedication. His willingness to answer last-minute calls and provide outstanding service, even in challenging situations, has created lasting experiences for the hotel guests. Nikolay likes to include thoughtful gestures when possible to ensure guests have a memorable stay.
To explore more about our past winners and their incredible achievements, please visit our past winners archive.
Each of these remarkable individuals and organizations has set a high standard of excellence and serves as an inspiration to us all.
Acknowledgements
This project has been made possible through funding from the Government of Ontario.
Ottawa Tourism thanks Tourism Calgary for their collaboration and support in developing the Shine On Program, which was inspired by their White Hat Academy.
