The Resort and Commercial Recreation Association is proud to recognize the outstanding contributions of its members. Each summer, a call for nominations is sent to the membership and a committee is organized to review nomination portfolios and recommend awards to the Board of Directors. The following awards are presented at the National Conference.
The purpose of the Premier Recreation Operation Award is to
recognize recreation operations/departments that have displayed
outstanding leadership in the development and promotion of quality
recreation programs and services. Nominations may be made based on the number of guest rooms or properties your department serves:
- 800 Guest Rooms/Properties or more
- 300 - 799 Guest Rooms/Properties
- 299 Guest Rooms/Properties or less
Award Winners:2009 - Kiawah Island Golf Resort
2008 - Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Click Here to Nominate
The purpose of the Excellence in Programming Award is to pay
tribute to professional(s) or student(s) who have created and
implemented a special, unique, and innovative program that has brought
special recognition, significant increase in guest/student
satisfaction, contributed to the betterment of the community, and/or
increased profitability to the member's property or educational
institution. Nominated programs are judged on the following:
- program goals;
- synopsis and duration;
- supplies required;
- number of participants;
- promotional materials;
- uniqueness;
- ease of reproduction;
- value;
- staffing efficiency;
- presentation
Award Winners:
2009 - Atlantis Paradise Island for Miss Teen Program
2008 - Starwood Hotel Resorts for "Love Your Family" program
Click Here to Nominate
The purpose of the Excellence in Research Award is to recognize the
valuable contribution of a selected piece of research that is presented
at the RCRA Research Symposium. All research abstracts submitted for
the symposium are evaluated by a blind peer review process.
Award Winners:
2009 - Eric Brey - University of Memphis
2008 - Dr. Patrick Tierney - San Francisco State University
Click Here to Nominate
The purpose of the Outstanding Student Award is to recognize and
pay tribute to the student or intern member who has worked to make a
positive contribution to the Association, his/her property, or
university/college.
A nominee must:
- be a current member of RCRA;
- be currently enrolled at a college/university or be on a university/college internship at an RCRA member property;
- have made a significant and positive impact at his/her school or internship location
Award Winners:
2009 - Meaghan March - Slippery Rock University
2008 - Emily Savko - Slippery Rock University
Click Here to Nominate
The purpose of the Debbie Regnone Service Award is to recognize
commitment to and excellence in service to RCRA and its members.
A nominee must:
- be a member of RCRA for no less than 5 years;
- be employed for no less than 5 years in the field of commercial recreation;
- be active in RCRA committees and on Board assignments;
- make valuable professional contributions outside the Association;
- perform exemplary service to the Association.
Award Winners:
2009 - Daniel Merenick
2008 - Lisa Jenkins - Hilton Grand Vacations Club
Click Here to Nominate
The purpose of the RCRA Achievement Award is to recognize
significant contributions to the Association and the profession through
dedicated service.
A nominee must:
- be a member of RCRA for no less than 5 years;
-
be employed for no less than 5 years as a college/university professor
or professional recreation and park executive, administrator,
supervisor, director, leader or specialist in the field of commercial
recreation;
- be of fine moral character;
- have won the Debbie Regnone Service Award;
- held an elected office in RCRA and/or allied state or national organization;
- have chaired or been a member of an RCRA or allied state/national committee;
- be actively speaking, writing articles, researching or authoring in the field of commercial recreation.
Award Winners:
2009 - Bruce Boliver - Slippery Rock University
2008 - Amanda Felts - Atlantis Paradise Island Resort
Click Here to Nominate
The purpose of the RCRA Fellow Award is to recognize an individual
who has consistently contributed to the well-being of the Association
and the industry of commercial recreation for a significant period of
time such that they are considered to be one of the top professionals
in the field.
A nominee must:
- be a member of RCRA for no less than 5 years;
-
be employed for no less than 10 years as a professional recreation and
park executive, administrator, supervisor, director, leader or
specialist in the field of commercial recreation, or as a
college/university educator;
- have served as an elected officer of RCRA;
- received the RCRA Achievement Award at least 2 years prior to consideration for the Fellow Award;
- and have rendered special service to RCRA (e.g. committee chair, professional writing, speaking, research).
Award Winner:
2008 - Lisa Linden - Atlantis Paradise Island Resort
Click Here to Nominate
Purpose: To recognize commitment to, and excellence in the delivery
of education for the commercial recreation profession.
A nominee must:
- Be a member of RCRA for no less than 5 years
- Be currently employed for no less than 5 years at a College/University
- Have made a significant and positive impact at his/her College/University
-
Encourages students to participate in RCRA and is involved in their
academic growth, internship experience and professional development
Award Winners:
2009 - Mary Wisnom - Florida Gulf Cost University
2008 - Bruce Boliver - Slippery Rock University
Click Here to Nominate
Purpose: To reward the energies of a "new" professional and to
recognize individual efforts and impact in a managerial / leadership
position at their property.
A nominee must:
- Be a RCRA member in good standing
- Hold a supervisory level job
- Have been hired or promoted to position within 2 years or less from date of October 2008.
- Have established impacts on profit, increased program attendance, guest satisfaction, property marketability or
other related items.
Award Winners:
2008 - Scott Rood - Grand Valley State University
Click Here to Nominate
Nicknamed the "Carrot Award." Given to a professional for their ongoing commitment and dedication to the growth of this association through creative ideas, promotional efforts, and continued support.
Award Winners:
2009 - Scott Rood
2008 - Daniel Merenick
Click Here to Nominate
2009 Student Scholarship Award Winners:
- Kayla Konz - University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse
- Tracy Reynolds - Illinois State University
- Chelsea Mosher - SUNY Brockport
- Cathleen Swartz - SUNY Brockport
- Monica Shaw - Slippery Rock University
- Alyssa Virgin - Slippery Rock University
- Cara Costik - Slippery Rock University
- Jessica Koerner - Slippery Rock University
2008 Student Scholarship Award Winners:
- Nick Barcio
- Carly Greene
- Meaghan March
- Bianca Quint-Garcia
- Monica Shaw
- Heather Walbright
Click Here to Nominate