Collier County tourism stars honored Thursday on Marco Island

The stars of tourism shined bright, as they were honored on Thursday by the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The bureau handed out 18 awards this year at its annual luncheon, which coincides with National Tourism Week. The event was held at the Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort, Golf Club & Spa.

Here are this year's Paradise Coast Tourism Star Award winners:

Rising Star: Ilsa Acevedo, housekeeper, Marco Island Marriott

Approachability: Liz Sanders, sales and catering manager, Hilton Naples

•Outstanding Hotel Employee – Front Line: Marilyn Soffer, chef concierge, Naples Bay Resort

•Outstanding Hotel Employee – Support Staff: Anaisis Hernandez, housekeeping/suite attendant, DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Naples

•Outstanding Attractions Employee – Front Line: Lisa Andrews, outreach education specialist, Big Cypress National Preserve

Outstanding Attractions Employee – Support Staff: Mitch Fogel, private car driver/chauffeur, Naples Transportation & Tours

Best Strategic Partner: Paradise Coast TV Hotel Channel, Collier County's in-room hotel visitor information service

Outstanding Hotel Sales Employee: Cliff Dworkin, national sales manager, Hilton Marco

Outstanding Attraction Sales Employee: Courtney Herrell, director of group sales, Naples Zoo

Hospitality Above & Beyond: RobinJill Hochmeyer, director of concierge services, DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Naples

Restaurant Exemplary Service: Barry Larkin, Turtle Club

Outstanding Tourism Volunteer: Fifth Avenue South BID Inc.

Sports Star Award: Mark Schurtz, Marriott Corp.

REEL Star Award: Steve Lawrence, Marco Island Marriott

Destination Sales Star: Randy Smith, Naples Transportation & Tours

PR Star Award: Hilton Naples

Directors Award for Excellence in Tourism: Robert Pfeffer, Marco Island Marriott