SLYOU Magazine issue 4 | Page 35

The following team members were recognized in the listed categories at this year’s Prestige Awards: Diamond Team Member of the Year Vernelle Emmanuel (Restaurant) Platinum Team Member of the Year Shirvonne St. Marie-John (Spa) Circle of Joy Claudius St. Marthe (Front Office) Mover and Shaker Jamin Emmanuel (Kitchen) Sandals Foundation Sentinel Mervin Cox (Warehouse) All-Rounder Latoya Roserie (Restaurant) People’s Choice Travis Charlemagne (Grounds) Pace Setter Marcus Joseph (Watersports) Heart of the House Christi Flavien (Maintenance) A Team Accounts Standing Ovation Jacqueline Lawrence (Accounts) Money Maker – Rumelia Aimable (Resort Shop) MVP Richmond Mason (Bars) Legendary Giselle Fedee (Butler) Earth Guardian Alvin Clercin The night’s setting was Dubai-esque, with the backdrop and nearly a dozen beautiful team members dressed up to reflect the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Some sweet and soothing violin music from Yannick James peppered the evening. To close off the night, Anderson, dressed in Elvis Presley regalia, joined other managers and team members for a grand performance. What stood out equally in abundance, too, was the support from each team member. Win or lose, every nominee seemed to personify the heart of a champion whether or not they received an award. I brought up the subject while interviewing Anderson afterwards. “What I saw at the awards ceremony was that people are supporting each other,” he told me. “Every announcement of each winner was a celebration for everyone. That’s what a great team is about: celebrating whomever the winners are. The greatest thing I walked away with from this year’s awards was that we had 160 people celebrating each other’s success.” In late January, Sandals Resorts International captured 11 awards at the 27th Annual www.slyoumag.com | February - April 2020 World Travel Awards Caribbean Gala Ceremony held at the Sandals Royal Bahamian. For the 27th time, Sandals Resorts International was recognized as the Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand. Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa & Beach Resort won two awards: Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Resort, and Saint Lucia’s Leading Resort. Anderson, who joined the company nearly 30 years ago, thanked Team Saint Lucia for continuing to be trailblazers. He said it came as no surprise to him that Sandals Grande won the two coveted awards. “We didn’t win it because the physical aspect of the resort is better than anyone else’s; we won it because we just have been fortunate and also due to our investment and time we put into training people,” Anderson said. “We’ve been blessed to have some of the greatest personalities you can ever find anywhere in the world working at Sandals Resorts.” SL-YOU | It’s All About Business 33