The recipient of the Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year Award was John Tomko, doorman at the Hilton Pittsburgh. He has been employed by the Hilton since the doors first opened in 1959. He has been recognized as Hilton Pittsburgh¹s Employee of the Year twice in his career and has been featured in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for his customer loyalty.

The Four Points Hotel by Sheraton, Greensburg, received the Excellence in Community Service Award. Since 1983, the property has hosted �The Parade of Trees,² where local businesses sponsor and decorate trees during the holiday season. The trees are then judged by the visiting public. All proceeds benefit the newborn and pediatric units of local hospitals. In 1999, the event included 38 uniquely decorated trees and raised over $18,000.

The Bucks County Conference & Visitors Bureau received the Excellence in Guest Relations Award. The Bureau unveiled the S.T.A.R. (Service That Attracts Recognition) program in early 1999. The program was designed to award front-line employees of hospitality related businesses for outstanding service. In the program¹s first year, more than 200 nominations were received from 15 states. Nominees were eligible to receive cash and prizes donated by sponsors.

The recipient of the Student of the Year Award was Brooke Young, a student at Lebanon Valley College and front desk supervisor at the Hilton Garden Inn, Hershey. She has been employed by the Harrisburg Hotel Corporation since 1998, serving as a guest service agent, sales department intern, and most recently, a front desk supervisor. As a hospitality major at Lebanon Valley College, she has maintained exceptional grades and currently holds a 3.71 GPA.

The recipient of the Associate Member of the Year Award was Lee Stranburg, MHS, president of Design & Supply Company, Inc. He currently serves on the Board of Directors, Annual Conference & Trade Show Committee and the Associate Member Committee. He is always an active participant in all of the PTC activities and is a strong advocate for the improvement of tourism related facilities.

Making the decisions in choosing this year's recipients were members of the PTC's Human Resources Committee, led by William Brett, chairman and vice president of Crown American Hotels.

The PTC is a private, non-profit, membership based association representing the hospitality and tourism industry in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  Committed to the unification of the industry, the Council provides operational, educational, and communication services, plus governmental affairs representation, to the industry.