Picture of legendary Thelma Parks smiling at camera; collage of photos of past employees in black and white

Premio Thelma Parks al Espíritu Turístico

Santa Monica Travel & Tourism (SMTT) was lucky enough to have an exceptional 23-year employee, Thelma Parks who touches hundreds of lives with her positive spirit before her passing in January of 2011. In her memory, Santa Monica Travel & Tourism in partnership with the Santa Monica Chamber created the Thelma Parks Tourism Spirit Award to honor employees who go above and beyond in the tourism industry. This award provides hotels, restaurants, attractions and services an opportunity to recognize exemplary performance and exceptional service by an employee in either a management or non-management position or they can be nominated by a visitor.

Congratulations, Ramon Jimenez-Bravo

Recently promoted to his role as Front Desk Supervisor at the Shore Hotel, Ramon has been a welcoming presence for visitors, choosing to “embrace the spirit of hospitality because it has the ability to bring people together and allows me to give back to others.” Ramon’s small gestures have created lasting memories for countless visitors, and we applaud his infallible dedication and warmth.

Premio Thelma Parks al Espíritu Turístico
Premio Thelma Parks al Espíritu Turístico

Past Winners Include:

  • Modesta Melchor, Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows
  • Darius Smiley, Hyatt Centric Delfina Santa Monica
  • Manju Raman, Huntley Santa Monica Beach
  • Barbara Moss, Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows
  • Kat Wells, Circuit Santa Monica
  • Melanie Lawson, Hilton Santa Monica Hotel & Suites
  • Derek Davis, Downtown Santa Monica Ambassador
  • Jessica Mahone, Front Desk Manager at Sandbourne Santa Monica
  • Mickey Barnes, Server at The Lobster
  • Elizabeth Wilsonhoyles, Director of Guest Services at Huntley Santa Monica Beach
Employee behind the bar at The Bungalow in Santa Monica.
El Bungalow

Has Someone Made Your Day?

Santa Monica is a vibrant and desirable location to live and work. Much of its success is credited to the people behind the 1 billion dollars generated annually from tourism and hospitality revenues and taxes.

Santa Monica Travel & Tourism (SMTT) was lucky to have an amazing 23-year employee, Thelma Parks, who died in January 2011. In her honor, we launched the “Thelma Parks Tourism Spirit Award” to recognize outstanding service in the industry.

The award plays an integral role in encouraging and rewarding excellence, innovation and commitment in the tourism and hospitality industry. Businesses, residences and visitors can nominate others, which will be reviewed and selected by a committee of industry peers, experts and leaders.

Winners will be selected and honored annually, in partnership with the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce. The Thelma Parks Tourism Spirit Award is awarded each May during the annual Santa Monica Travel & Tourism Summit.

Vista aérea del muelle de Santa Mónica y Pacific Park.
Muelle de Santa Mónica

How to participate:

RULES FOR NOMINATIONS:

  • The business must be in good standing with the  City of Santa Monica and SMTT.
  • Tenga todos los permisos y licencias requeridos por la ley.
  • Todas las participaciones enviadas pasan a ser propiedad de SMTT, y al enviar una participación, usted concede irrevocablemente a SMTT el derecho a editar, reproducir, publicar, difundir y mostrar el ensayo y cualquier material relacionado que haya enviado. Al enviar una participación, usted declara además que dicha participación no infringe ningún derecho de autor, derecho de publicidad o derecho de privacidad, y se compromete a defender e indemnizar a SMTT por cualquier reclamación que se presente en su contra.
  • Nominees must be a graduate of the Soy Santa Mónica workshop.
  • Todos los finalistas/ganadores seleccionados dispondrán de asientos para asistir a la Cumbre de Turismo y Viajes de Santa Mónica, que se celebra cada mes de mayo, y deberán aceptar que se utilicen su nombre e imagen en promociones.
  • Se entregará el Premio Thelma Parks al Espíritu Turístico a un (1) ganador, cuyo nombre se dará a conocer en la Cumbre de Viajes y Turismo que se celebra cada mes de mayo.
  • Nominations must be submitted using this form.

Thank you for helping us celebrate the employees who create unforgettable experiences for our visitors in Santa Monica! If you have any questions regarding the Thelma Parks Tourism Spirit Award, please contact clientservices@santamonica.com o llame al 310-319-6263.