Bradenton Area CVB Announces Annual Tourism Award Recipients

The Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (BACVB) has announced the recipients of the 2019 Champions in Tourism Awards, which were presented during its annual Tourism Week event on May 3 onboard the Anna Maria Princess paddle wheel boat. Now in their ninth year, the awards were established to recognize some of the individuals who have contributed greatly to the Bradenton Area’s visitation.

First, the annual Tourism Ambassador Award – honoring an individual who represents the destination positively, engages in promoting and supporting area visitation and who has provided the best possible visitor experience – was presented to Liza Kubik by last year’s winner, Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce Board Member Karen Riley-Love. Kubik currently serves as Board Director for Sarasota-Manatee Originals, a group of more than 50 local restaurants dedicated to celebrating and preserving the heritage culinary offerings of the Bradenton Area. She is also the former director of marketing and events at Seafood Shack Marina Bar & Grill

In her previous role at Seafood Shack, she and her team were named Business of the Year by the Anna Maria Island Chamber in 2018. The group was also named as a finalist for Manatee Small Business of the Year 2018. Previously, Liza served as Director of Public Relations at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. She is the 9th winner of the Tourism Ambassador Award

Next, the third annual Ed Hunzeker Hospitality Leadership Award was presented by the award’s namesake and first-ever recipient, former County Administrator Ed Hunzeker to Manatee Performing Arts Center (MPAC) Chief Executive Officer Janene Amick.

In her role, Amick oversees strategy and operations for The Manatee Players and spearheads staff programs and execution of MPAC’s mission to represent, enrich and stimulate people through the art of live theatre. She is also President-Elect of the Kiwanis Club of Bradenton, a member of the American Business Women’s Association, American Fundraising Professionals, the VFW Ladies Auxiliary and a past chair Manatee County’s 14th Street CRA advisory board. She previously served as the MPAC’s Executive Director.

“Both recipients work tirelessly behind the scenes to exceed expectations for the Bradenton Area visitor and have dedicated their careers to the visitor experience,” said BACVB Executive Director Elliott Falcione. “Janene works day in and out to provide diverse and enriching opportunities for the entertainment and education of visitors and Liza is committed to crafting and delivering the consummate hospitality message on behalf of the entire culinary scene of our destination. I am thrilled to publicly acknowledge and thank them both for their leadership and on-going support of our efforts and initiatives.”