The success of Niagara Helicopters comes from its special connection with the community.
RAY SPITERI
Ruedi Hafen, president and chief pilot of Niagara Helicopters and Aneta Fleming, director of marketing for the company, were both honoured during Niagara Falls Tourism's 40th annual Misty Awards at Niagara Fallsview Casino Thursday night.
Photo: Ray Spiteri
Niagara Helicopters took home three pieces of hardware during the 40th annual Misty Awards, but it was Tony Zappitelli who scooped up the biggest prize of the night Thursday.
The director of operations for the Sheraton Fallsview hotel was recognized with the Grand Misty Award, presented to the person who has contributed the most to the tourism industry in a given year.
Zappitelli was not on hand to receive the honour. Cheryl Durney, director of sales for the hotel, accepted the award instead and read a prepared statement from Zappitelli, who is in Florida on vacation. "He was very surprised when told earlier in the week that he had won the award," said Durney, who has worked with Zappitelli for 15 years.
"But he truly deserves it. He loves this community and he loves his employees."
Ruedi Hafen, president and chief pilot for Niagara Helicopters won the Niagara Falls Review Community Achievement Award, the newest honour added to the annual event.
Kathy Goodman, an employee at Niagara Helicopters for more than 20 years, took home a Life Contribution & Achievement Recognition Award, while Aneta Fleming, director of marketing for the company, was presented with the Stella Howlett Award - honouring the individual who best exemplifies Niagara hospitality.
"The success of Niagara Helicopters comes from its special connection with the community," said Hafen, who in February, was also awarded the Tourism Enterprise Award during the Niagara Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.
"I continue to live by my standards of working hard and treating everyone with equal respect. People must remember that without the public's support, none of us would be here today."
About 250 people attended the awards, which is presented by Niagara Falls Tourism. The event recognizes and celebrates the city's tourism industry and its yearly accomplishments.
The following is the full list of Misty Awards winners, presented at the Niagara Fallsview Casino:
Grand Misty: Tony Zappitelli, Sheraton Fallsview hotel
Murie Misty: David Veres, Niagara College
Niagara Falls Review Community Achievement Award: Ruedi Hafen, Niagara Helicopters
Stella Howlett Award: Aneta Fleming, Niagara Helicopters
Life Contribution & Achievement Recognition: Kathy Goodman, Niagara Helicopters; Arlene White, BiNational Tourism Alliance; Tim Ruddy, Maid of the Mist
Niagara College Award: Niagara Fallsview Casino
Progressive Development Award: Betty's Restaurants; Table Rock Complex; HOCO Thundering Waters; Queenston Heights; Edge Waters
Restaurants of the Year
Fast Food: Zappi's Pizza & Pasta
Casual Family Dining - Independent: Capri Restaurant
Casual Family Dining - Franchise: Boston Pizza
Formal Fine Dining - Independent: Carpaccio Restaurant and Wine Bar
Formal Fine Dining - Franchise: Wolfgang Puck Restaurant
Attraction of the Year
Arts, Culture & Entertainment: Cirque Niagara - AVAIA
Novelty Museum & Exhibits: Nightmares Fear Factory
Mid-size Attraction: Ripley's Believe It or Not
Major Attraction: Maid of the Mist Steamboat Co. Ltd.
Golf Course of the Year: Thundering Waters Golf Course
Merchant of the Year: Rossi Glass Gift Shop
Winery of the Year: Inniskillin Wines
Accommodation of the Year
Campground: Yogi Bear Park Camp and Resorts
Bed & Breakfast: Butterfly Manor B & B
3 Diamond Motel/Hotel/Inn: Best Western Cairn Croft Hotel
4 Diamond Hotel/Resort: Great Wolf Lodge Hotel Resort.
