Celebrate Success
Presented at the Annual National Conference
In the midst of the recreation industry, there are hard-working and dedicated individuals worthy of recognizing the impact they are making. REC Net invites you to honor our previous award winners and would like you to consider nominating a colleague that has inspired you recently. Behind each award is a deserving and inspirational story that will ignite your passion when you see that REC Net has been making memories and breaking records for over 40 years. Read on to learn more about our service recognitions.
REC Net Service & Programming Awards
The Premier Recreation Operation Award recognizes recreation operations / departments that have displayed outstanding leadership in the development
and promotion of quality recreation programs and services.
This award is split into four categories:
- 800+ Guest Rooms/Properties
- 300-799 Guest Rooms/Properties
- 299 Guest Rooms/Properties or less
- Unique Properties: Campgrounds, Home Communities, Cruise Ships, Non-Profits
AWARD CRITERIA
The following criteria is taken into consideration during deliberation:
- Department staffing model (full & part-time/seasonal & year round)
- Department philosophy and goals
- Programming hours per year
- Charity work
- Special event/holiday flyers and/or program marketing information
- Creativity has no limits (it’s not about the quantity, it’s about the quality)
The Outstanding Professor Award recognizes commitment to and excellence in the delivery of education for the commercial recreation profession.
AWARD CRITERIA
- Member of REC Net for more than 3 years.
- Be currently employed for more than 5 years at a College/University.
- Have made a significant and positive impact at his/her College/University.
- Encourages students to participate in REC Net and is involved in academic growth, internship experience and professional development.
The Outstanding Student Award recognizes the student or intern member who has worked to make a positive contribution to the Association, his/her property, or university/college.
AWARD CRITERIA
- Be a current member of REC Net .
- Be currently enrolled at a college/university or be on a university/college internship at an REC Net member property.
- Have made a significant and positive impact at his/her school or internship location.
The Outstanding Vendor Award recognizes an outstanding REC Net vendor who supports the association by being committed to providing REC Net members
excellent customer service and quality products.
AWARD CRITERIA
- Be an active REC Net Member for at least one year.
- Be a business owner for two years.
- Have sponsored a portion of an event, function or activity at a National Conference.
The Excellence in Research Award recognizes the valuable contribution of a selected piece of research that is presented at the REC Net Research Symposium.
AWARD CRITERIA
- Be an active REC Net Member.
- Present a piece of research at the REC Net Research Symposium at the National Conference.
The Excellence in Programming Award recognizes 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.
AWARD CRITERIA
- Program goals
- Guest/participant satisfaction
- Synopsis and duration
- Supplies required
- Number of participants
- Promotional materials
- Uniqueness / innovative
- Ease of reproduction
- Value / increased profitability
- Staffing efficiency
- Present at National Conference
The Making The Difference Award recognizes the energies, motivation and commitment of a professional that is dedicated to the growth of this association and industry through creative ideas, promotional efforts and continued support all while making an impact at their own property.
AWARD CRITERIA
- Be a REC Net member for at least 2 years and in good standing.
- Be active in some capacity within REC Net .
- Have established impacts on profit, increased program attendance, guest
satisfaction, property marketability or other related items.
To recognize commitment to, and excellence in the pursuit of, commercial recreation and service to the REC Net and its members.
Debbie Regnone is one of the original eight founding members of REC Net and has been a member of our Association since.
This award is one of the Association’s top honors.
AWARD CRITERIA
- Be a member of REC Net for no less than 5 years
- Be employed for no less than 5 years in the field of resort or commercial recreation
- Be active in REC Net committees and on-board assignments, outside contributions, and exhibits; leadership within and outside the Association; or has performed exemplary service to the Association
- Be of fine moral character
To recognize a career of extraordinary achievement providing inspiration, integrity and dedication to our Association, our members and the entire industry.
Dr. Howard Uibel was a professor of Recreation Management. As a former Association member, Board member, and Past President, he wanted everyone who is a member of REC Net to ACHIEVE greatness in the recreation industry. His legacy lives on through this lifetime achievement award.
This award is one of the Association’s top awards.
AWARD CRITERIA
- Be a member of REC Net for no less than 10 years
- Be employed for no less than 10 years as a college/university professor or professional recreation and park executive, supervisor, director, leader
or specialist in the field of resort or commercial recreation - Active in RCRAREC Net via committees, board assignments, outside contributions, and exhibits; leadership within and outside the Association; or has performed exemplary service to the Association
- Be of fine moral character
- Have won the Debbie Regnone Service Award
- Must be at least 2 years since the winning the Debbie Regnone Service Award
To recognize an individual for being a top professional in the field of commercial recreation. Celebrating and honoring a legacy of dedication, excellence, leadership, outstanding achievement and consistent contributions to our Association, our members and the entire industry.
This award is considered to be REC Net's top honor and truly celebrates an individual's dedication to the Association and industry.
AWARD CRITERIA
- Be a member of REC Net for no less than 15 years
- Have 15 years’ experience in the field, active in RCRA via committees, board assignments, outside contributions, and exhibits; leadership within and outside the Association; or has performed exemplary service to the Association
- Be of fine moral character
- Received the Debbie Regnone Service Award & The Howard Uibel Lifetime Achievement Award
- Must be at least 5 years since the winning the Howard Uibel Lifetime Achievement Award
2025 REC Net Award Submissions - COMING SOON!
Criteria:
Please note award nominators and nominees can only be accepted if they are current members. A nominee must also be in good standing with the association. We ask that you only nominate one person/property/company per category. If you have any questions regarding our annual awards, please reach out to brian.bevacqua@rcra.org.
Nominations are due on Friday, September 26th – The award year is from September 29, 2024, until September 26, 2025