CLEARWATER BEACH, Fla. ­­– February 8, 2013 – Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa proudly announces that General Manager Brian Kramer has been named the 2013 Tourism Person of the Year by the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce.  The chamber’s most prestigious individual honor was awarded to Kramer at last night’s sold-out annual meeting, which was attended by more than 500 of the county’s top business leaders and tourism industry professionals.

“We are so fortunate to have a leader like Brian, who has helped guide our team to introducing a new level of hospitality and service to the destination, all while encouraging service and engagement with the local community,” said Director of Sales and Marketing Nancy Longstreth. “His leadership and dedication to giving back have been an inspiration to so many, and we are proud that his talents, determination and achievements have been recognized by fellow industry leaders.”


Kramer and his team of nearly 200 resort associates opened the 250-all-suite resort on February 1, 2010, marking only the second time in a quarter-century that a new beach resort was built in Pinellas County as well as the first time that a waterfront Hyatt hotel was available on Florida’s west coast.  Kramer was appointed to manage this important and highly anticipated resort development, the centerpiece of the city’s $30 million Beach Walk and revitalization project.  Since then, the resort has become a triumph of success, both for Hyatt and for tourism in Pinellas County, helping catapult Clearwater Beach as a premier world-class destination with unique luxury amenities such as air-conditioned poolside cabanas and an eco-friendly spa as well as groundbreaking initiatives such as Hyatt’s brand-wide food and beverage philosophy, focusing on local and sustainable food and beverage options for healthier people, healthier communities and a healthier planet.

In lieu of a costly one-year anniversary party, Kramer instead spearheaded a campaign to seek and secure a Hyatt corporate grant that would benefit the local community that had so generously supported the resort’s launch.  As a result of Kramer’s efforts, the resort was able to donate $15,000 to the Homeless Emergency Project (HEP), an organization committed to providing Pinellas County’s homeless and very low-income families with housing, food, clothing and support services to obtain self-sufficiency and an improved quality of life.  Kramer and his team have furthered their commitment to HEP by regularly volunteering their time at HEP’s dining facilities, raising funds and collecting donations.

Kramer encourages and inspires a corporate culture of making the greater Tampa Bay area a better place to live and visit.  As a result, resort associates have engaged in many local community service projects such as beach clean ups, Relay for Life, Habitat for Humanity and Making Strides for Breast Cancer.   In addition to dedicating time to local community service initiatives, the resort provided actual cash contributions and in-kind donations exceeding $100,000 last year.  Through Kramer’s direction, the resort has also become a corporate sponsor of many cultural events and organizations that are non-profit driven and help the betterment of the local community such as Ruth Eckerd Hall, Friends of Music, the Suncoast Film Festival, Clearwater Jazz Holiday, Artistic Tastings, Clearwater Beach Uncorked and Clearwater Blast Fridays.

Under Kramer’s leadership, Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach has received a wealth of its own awards and accolades, including the prestigious AAA/CAA Four Diamond Award; four green keys designation by the Green Key Eco-rating Program; the 2012 Impact Award Winner by Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture and the Arts; the 2012 Brides’ Choice Award by Wedding Wire; one of Florida’s Best Companies To Work For by Florida Trend; one of Tampa Bay’s Top Work Places 2012 by the Tampa Bay Times;the 2011 ConventionSouth Readers’ Choice Award; the 2011 Large Business of the Year Award by the Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce; TripAdvisor’s 2011 Certificate of Excellence; placement on Elite Meetings’ Top 100 Hotels List; recognition as a gay-friendly hotel by the TAG Approved® Accommodations Program; and the Metro’s Best Award in the Hot Spots to Shop, Dine, Play & Escape by Tampa Bay Metro Magazine for the past two consecutive years.  The resort’s signature SHOR American Seafood Grill has also earned the Best Dessert Award at Clearwater Beach’s Restaurant Week for the past two consecutive years, the 2011 “Best of Show” at A Taste of Clearwater and Tampa Bay Magazine’s Best of Tampa Bay Award for the last three consecutive years.

Kramer began his career with Hyatt in 1989 at the Grand Hyatt New York and has served in numerous roles at various Hyatt hotels and resorts throughout the U.S.  Prior to leading the opening of Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach, he served as general manager at Hyatt Regency Long Island.  Kramer received his Bachelors of Science in hotel administration from the New York Institute of Technology.  He is married with three children.
For more information or reservations, visit http://clearwaterbeach.hyatt.com or call 1-800-233-1234.

About Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa features 250 guest suites that blend tropical elegance with a luxurious, carefree experience on Florida’s west coast. Breathtaking Gulf views provide the backdrop for expansive floor plans for deluxe one- and two-bedroom suites. Each suite features fully equipped kitchensand balconies or rooftop terraces. Guests can enjoy a variety of upscale amenities such as a resort swimming pool deck with 20 air-conditioned poolside cabanas and a children’s pool area, a spa pool area on the 16th floor and multiple dining options, including the resort’s signature seafood grill SHOR. Other amenities include the eco-friendly Sandava Spa and Camp Hyatt Kids’ Club, along with 12,000 square feet of indoor and 20,000 square feet of outdoor function space for premier beachside events.  For more information or reservations, please visit http://clearwaterbeach.hyatt.com, “Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hyattclearwater or follow us on Twitter @HyattClearwater.