LAKE GEORGE, NY -- Hospitality and retail workers from around Warren County were thanked for their efforts this summer with a free tour boat ride on Lake George that included prizes, food, award, music and more on Monday, September 8.
More than 350 local workers and their supervisors, representing more than 70 businesses, gathered aboard the Lake George Steamboat Co.’s Lac du Saint Sacrement for the fourth annual event, held to show appreciation to the employees who helped local businesses get through another busy summer.
The event was organized by Warren County Department of Workforce Development to reward the people that serve as the backbone of our tourism and retail industries.
Thirty local businesses donated money or prizes to the event. Thousands of dollars in restaurant, retail and lodging gift cards and free tickets to local attractions were handed out to attendees as part of the event.
In addition, nine local tourism/retail workers who were nominated by their supervisors for going above and beyond were honored with prizes and certificates for their skills, energy and expertise, ranging from Excellence in Customer Service to Team Spirit and Sales Extraordinaire.
Jennifer Lindsley, assistant housekeeping manager at Courtyard Marriott in Lake George, was chosen as the recipient of the Frank Dittrich Award, given annually to a tourism industry leader who is committed to employee development, dedicated to improving lives and conditions for workers and embodies a cooperative spirit. The award was named for Dittrich, the late general manager of The Inn at Erlowest and tireless regional hospitality leader, who passed away in December 2022.
Said Liza Ochsendorf, Warren County Director of Workforce Development: “We love this tradition of celebrating our summer workforce and we’re so grateful for Lake George Steamboat Co. and all of the local businesses who donated thousands of dollars’ worth of prizes to go to our hospitality and tourism workforce as a wonderful 'thank you.'”
Said Warren County Tourism Director Heather Bagshaw: “It’s important for us to give back and recognize those who have worked in all of our hospitality businesses, in our resorts and our hotels and our restaurants and attractions. We want the workers who keep our tourism-related businesses going to know that they’re very appreciated.”
Attendance at Monday’s event was a four-year high for the event.
Mark your calendars for the Summer Workforce Celebration in 2026, as the event will return to Lake George Steamboat Co. during the week following Adirondack Nationals Car Show.
Winners of the 2025 Tourism Leader Awards included:
Sandy Irvin, front desk supervisor for Marine Village Resort, Excellence in Customer Service Award;
Maddy Carre, trip lead for Wild Waters Outdoor Center, Patience of a Saint Award;
Kim Fanciullo, front desk manager of Home 2 Suites, Team Spirit Award;
Jacob Miner, rides team lead at Six Flags Great Escape and Kennedy Woodcock, front desk clerk at Lanes and Games, Emerging Leaders Award;
LeAnna Avila, head of sales and events at The Inn at Erlowest and Randy Carpenter, lead mixologist at The Golden Monkey, Sales Extraordinaires Award;
Kim Chapman, director of group sales at The Lake George Steamboat Company, won the Best Cross-Promoter of the Area Award.
Photo included from Monday night’s celebration aboard the Lac du Saint Sacrement
