Sandals Resorts International’s series of motivational business sessions closed with a dazzling awards ceremony last Friday at which the resort group recognised the efforts of its global sales team.

Among the major awardees were Maureen Barnes-Smith, vice-president, sales and marketing, Canada, who was recognised for 30 years’ service; Lorna Richards, national training manager, Canada; and Alice McCalla, director of industry affairs, who both received the Industry Award for Excellence; Omar Josephs, senior manager, group sales and events, Canada, who was presented with the CEO Award for Excellence; and Dawn Bolte, senior director of travel industry sales, who received the Chairman’s Award.

During the event, held at Sandals South Coast, the sales team received updates on the luxury-included resort group’s plans for this year and beyond. They were also addressed by Sandals/Beaches Resorts Executive Chairman Adam Stewart, who thanked them, on behalf of the resort group’s 20,000 team members across the Caribbean and encouraged them to continue to grow, evolve, and listen to customers.

He also paid homage to his late father, Gordon “Butch” Stewart — founder of the resort company which for three decades has been voted world’s best in this region — and emphasised the importance of relationships with customers and service providers.

Lorna Richards, Unique Vacations Inc’s national training manager, Canada, accepts the Industry Award for Excellence from Gary Sadler, executive vice-president, sales and industrial relations, Unique Vacations Inc, last Friday.

Alice McCalla, director of industry affairs, Sandals Resorts, is presented with the Industry Award for Excellence by Gary Sadler, executive vice-president, sales and industrial relations, Unique Vacations Inc, at the recognition ceremony climaxing Sandals Resorts’ global sales force motivational business sessions at Sandals South Coast last Friday night.

Omar Josephs (left) senior manager, group sales and events, Unique Vacations Inc Canada, collects the CEO Award for Excellence from Gary Sadler, executive vice-president, sales and industrial relations, Unique Vacations Inc, at Sandals South Coast last Friday night.

Dawn Bolte, senior director of travel industry sales, Unique Vacations Inc, is presented with the Chairman’s Award by Gary Sadler, Unique Vacations’ executive vice-president, sales and industrial relations, at the recognition ceremony climaxing Sandals Resorts’ global sales force motivational business sessions at Sandals South Coast last Friday night.