The Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau honored the best local restaurants, hotels, businesses and personnel with the People’s Choice Awards at B&D Gastro pub Thursday night.
The 3rd annual ceremony recognized the best of the best in honor of National Tourism Week. The Vice President of Operations and Communications Jama Jarrett explained how the People’s Choice Awards started in Charleston.
“It just gives us an opportunity to let the community submit and vote on who within the tourism industry they think is the best restaurant, best hotel, serves the best dish, and best drinks and so on.”
Mayor Danny Jones said the event really shows the massive tourism effort Charleston has made since the early 2000’s.
“This is an event to commemorate the efforts of tourism in our city, which has become a big effort in the past 12 years,” Jones said. “Thirteen years ago you wouldn’t have an event like this because no one would have thought about it.”
Jarrett said the voting process involved a nomination process to narrow down to the top four, and then a re-vote for the public to pick the winners. The Embassy Suites won in the “Favorite Lodging” Category, and General Manager Mark Cherry thought he knew why it was picked over other hotels.
“We have a unique hotel with our all-room suites, our breakfast and include cocktails in the evening,” Cherry said. “It’s great for us to get the recognition for the travels and the local populous that we do a great job for people coming to town.”
Capitol Market won “Best Attraction”, Capitol Street’s Pies and Pints won for “Favorite Restaurant”, and the East End’s Empty Glass won in the category of “Favorite Nightlife Spot”. Lola’s Pizza’s sangria was voted “Favorite Specialty Drink”. Charleston City Manager David Molgaard thought the event spoke to the city’s multitude of activities.
“We’ve got a momentum; it’s a really great vibe right now,” Molgaard said. “We’ve got a lot going on, we have a lot to offer those who might want to visit our city or stop by as they’re passing through for the first time.”
In addition to establishments, the CVB also honored individuals nominated by their employers and colleagues who “go above and beyond the call of duty in the workplace.”