Finalists announced for 2025 prestigious hospitality awards

The finalists for a well-known annual recognition have been announced and the public can have a hand in who becomes a winner.

Visit Boise, the tourism organization for the city and surrounding region, recently announced the finalists for the Recognition of Service Excellence (ROSE) Awards, and urged the public to vote for their favorites. Winners will be announced on April 14 at an awards event.

The ROSE Awards honor employees who go above and beyond in the local tourism and hospitality industry. People are honored in the areas of accommodations, attractions, bar/tasting rooms, behind the scenes, dining/catering, retail, transportation, volunteering and manager of the year.

“These ROSE Awards are a highlight of the year for hospitality workers who are typically the first interaction visitors have when they arrive in our beautiful city,” said Carrie Westergard, executive director of Visit Boise. “We want to shine a spotlight on those who perform their jobs exceptionally well with passion, commitment and a welcoming smile. These employees are the true tourism ambassadors and shape how Boise is perceived.”

According to Visit Boise, tourism is the third largest industry in the state, generating about $2.5 billion in revenue from travelers. “Hotel occupancy increased by 1.3% in 2024, alongside record levels in the average daily rate and overall revenue,” a release stated. Also last year, Boise hosted 239 meetings, conventions, sports and special events.

A panel of judges selected special award winners that will also be presented along with the public voting selections. Once such award is going to local winemakers. Carrie and Earl Sullivan, owners of Telaya Wine Co. in Garden City, are receiving the 2025 Visit Boise Spirit of Hospitality Award. The award highlights “providing hospitality, inspiring hospitality and supporting hospitality in the wine industry and in the service industry in the Treasure Valley.”

“We are really just a hospitality company that happens to make wine,” Earl Sullivan said.

Another special award is the Leadership and Learning Excellence Award, being presented to Amy Frump, sales manager at The Inn at 500 in downtown Boise. The award recognizes a person or business that shows “an unwavering commitment to professional and personal growth within the hospitality industry.”

The public can vote for this year’s nominees at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2025ROSEVoting

The 2025 ROSE Awards nominees are:

Accommodations

• Jennifer Gilmore, Front Desk Agent, The Riverside Hotel
• Lanai Hernandez, Administrative Assistant, Hotel Renegade
• Sean McCall, Front Desk Agent, Courtyard Boise Downtown – Block 22 Hotels

Attractions

• Adan Callsen, Tour Guide, Indulge Boise Food Tours
• Carlo Migliori, Chairlift Attendant, Bogus Basin
• Jennifer Stockwell Fortner, Education Director, Boise Contemporary Theater

Bar/ Tasting Room

• Bruce Achtermann, Head Sommelier, Parcero Wine Bar
• Gerrod Peck, Wine Ambassador, Telaya Wine Co.
• Jamie Carrell, Bartender, Frontier Club

Behind the Scenes

• Ramesh Patel, Maintenance, Best Western Vista Inn
• Thomas Abel, Line Cook, North End Pizza
• Veronica Roper, Project Director, Boise State Esports

Dining/ Caterers

• Daniel Follman, Waiter, 13th St. Pub & Grill
• Dreemi March, Banquet Server, The Riverside Hotel
• Lindsey Thurow, Owner/Server, Idaho Tipsy Trailers
• Sandy, Server, The Original Pancake House

Retail

• Garrett Rhebeg, Grocery Bagger, Albertsons Broadway
• Hanna Miller, Hairstylist, Muraki Salon
• Karen Taber, Bookstore Staff, Rediscovered Books

Transportation

• Jason Bane, Driver, Diamond Limousine
• Jerry Liu, Lead Valet Attendant, The Grove Hotel
• Jessica Anderton, Airline Wheelchair Assistant, Streamline Airport Services

Volunteer

• Reid Wiggins, Volunteer at Downtown Events, WaFd Bank
• Rick Thompson, Volunteer, Idaho Botanical Garden
• Virgel Clark, Volunteer, Old Idaho Penitentiary

Manager of the Year

• Allan Cushing, Operations Manager, Boise Centre
• Jameelah Nelson, Executive Housekeeper, Hyatt Place Downtown
• Susanna Mendez, Cider House Manager, Meriwether Cider