Tourism Partners

Hospitality Shining Stars

Many times it is Hattiesburg's hallmark hospitality that visitors never forget. That is why each year during National Tourism Week, VISITHATTIESBURG™ takes the time to put the spotlight on the very best in tourism.

Established in 2003, the Shining Star Award was created to give tourism industry partners the opportunity to recognize those among their team who provide exemplary customer service and hospitality to the visitor. As the local tourism industry's only service award, VISITHATTIESBURG™ along with its participating tourism partners have had the privilege of honoring 84 Shining Stars since 2003.

Your 2009 Shining Stars...

Shining Star: Jackie Davis From: Comfort Suites
Mrs. Jackie Davis has been a part of our team at the Comfort Suites for the past 11 years. Mrs. Jackie knows all of our regular guests by name, remembers the important circumstances of their lives and brightens anyone's day who happens to cross her path. She serves not only as an integral member of our Front Desk Team, but as a personal inspiration to her coworkers! Though she has persevered through many struggles, she remains upbeat, committed and strong in her personal faith in Jesus Christ. She is a fine example of whatHattiesburg is and means to our tourists passing through and to our regular business clientele. She knows the history of our area well and can entertain for hours! We appreciate her very much and respect her fully!

Shining Star: Krissy Hamilton From: Hattiesburg Zoo
Krissy Hamilton has been the Education Curator for the Hattiesburg Zoo for almost 2 years. During that time Krissy has developed and implemented numerous educational programs that have received rave reviews from the Zoo’s guests. From Toddler Classes and Zoo Classes to animal encounters and Summer Camps, Krissy always conducts quality programs that keeps the visitors of the Zoo coming back for more.

Shining Star: Jamie Harmon From: Hampton Inn
Jamie has been with the Hampton Inn as a Senior Guest Service Representative for 2 years. Her excellent customer service skills have won her numerous employee service awards, as well as, The Archon Hospitality Employee of the Quarter Award. She is a Shining Star because she represents both Hattiesburg and the Hampton Inn in a great way.

Shining Star: Ora Jones From: Convention Commission
Ora has been with the Lake Terrace Convention Center for over 3 years (during her second go around, that is). She was an employee of Lake Terrace prior to that and made a decision to come back. Our clients and staff greatly benefit from Ora being a part of the Convention Commission’s team. Ora’s dedication and loyalty to the center is to be commended. There are many days and nights in which Ora works longer than her shift requires. With this award we want to show Ora how much we truly appreciate her hard work.

Shining Star: Chris Landry From: Residence Inn by Marriott
Everyone who meets Chris Landry can easily recognize that he is a passionate, dynamic and hard working person. As Sales Director for the Residence Inn by Marriott, Chris has helped to make this newest addition to Hattiesburg’s hotel industry very successful, very quickly. Chris is an all-around great guy and he truly defines what it means in our organization to be a Shining Star. We enjoy having him on our team at the Residence Inn!

Shining Star: Benji Lott From: Fairfield Inn
Benji Lott exemplifies the meaning of the Shining Star Award. He has been Chief Engineer at the Fairfield Inn and Suites since August of 2008. Benji is dedicated first and foremost to our guests, as well as, to our employees and the Marriott corporation. He has worked diligently to help build our guest service scores and to enable our team at the Fairfield Inn & Suites to be a exceptional product for our guests to enjoy.

Shining Star: Jean Pace From: VISITHATTIESBURG™
Jean Pace is a great asset to VISITHATTIESBURG™ and the Hattiesburg Visitors Center. She creates a warm, friendly atmosphere for visitors as they enter each and every day. She is always willing to assist with any special project from assembling hundreds of welcome bags to individually wrapping over 600 t-shirts for the City’s 125th Celebration. There is no task too great or too small. Jean also knows the value of taking ownership in our facility. For these reasons, Jean is our shining star at the Hattiesburg Visitors Center.

Shining Star: Diane Shepherd From: Historic Hattiesburg Downtown Association
Diane Shepherd exemplifies the spirit of Downtown promotional efforts. In addition to running a successful business, Main Street Books, she looks for creative ways to bring new people to the area. Her annual Author’s Extravaganza attracts Mississippi authors and their fans from around the state making it one of the most exciting annual events in Historic Downtown Hattiesburg and beyond. You might even see her dressed as Mother Goose during Art Walk events, gathering children for a great story. She happily co-promotes the other downtown businesses. Our congratulations Diane, our Shining Star!

Shining Star: Sally Slaughter From: Fairfield Inn
Sally Slaughter has taken the meaning of a Shining Star to the next level. She began with Fairfield Inn and Suites as a Housekeeper and was soon promoted to Executive Housekeeper. As Executive Housekeeper she has developed a team that is second to none. She puts the guests’ needs above all else and continually serves as an exemplary leader at our hotel. She is truly the example of an excellent leader, housekeeper and top notch Marriott employee.

Shining Star: James Smith From: Hampton Inn
James Smith has been with the Hampton Inn for over 2 ½ years, serving as the Senior Maintenance Technician. Whatever the task or issue, you can always count and call upon James because for the Hampton Inn staff, he is "The Man." He is a shining star because he goes above and beyond our expectations and provides our hotel with superior maintenance skills.

Shining Star: Jennifer Temple From: Comfort Inn
Jennifer Temple illustrates the meaning of the Shining Star Award. She started with the Comfort Inn in 2007. The title "Front Desk Clerk" does not fully represent the duties she performs. She is the Front Desk Clerk, Concierge, Administrative Assistance to all Military personnel and still finds time to assist her General Manager. As such, she has been promoted to the Front Desk Supervisor and is a great asset to the Comfort Inn and to Hattiesburg.

Shining Star: Olimpiya Timmons From: Courtyard by Marriott
Olimpiya has worked all aspects of the Courtyard, including Director of Housekeeping where she received the Gold Award from Marriott International. Olimpiya is always eager to learn and in her current position as Senior Front Desk representative, she continually applies herself. Olimpiya is a steady source of information to our guests and our associates and is always a shining star at the Courtyard.

Shining Star: Ashley Welch From: Ramada Inn on the Hill
This dedicated hard working employee is a quick and fast learner who takes on tasks without being told, keeps the ball rolling and will carry more than is asked of her. No matter what time of day, what day of the week or who is calling, Ashley is available to help. She has been a strong member of our team for the past year, and we could not have made it without her. Thank you Ashley.

Shining Star: Linda Wilborn From: Ramada Inn on the Hill
For 10 years, Linda Wilborn has been a hardworking and loyal employee who demonstrates everyday what it means to be a shining star. We feel very fortunate to have such a dedicated member of our team who repeatedly steps up to the plate no matter what is asked of her. Linda is considered a part of our hotel’s backbone, and we want to say, “Thank you, Linda.”

Galaxy of Shining Stars:

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003