The annual hospitality and travel awards dinner celebrates the best and brightest in Virginia
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PHOTOS FROM THE 2025 ORDINARY AWARDS
RICHMOND – The Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association (VRLTA) celebrated the best of the hospitality and tourism industry during an exceptional 2025 Ordinary Awards dinner on Thursday, September 8, at the Richmond Downtown Marriott. A record audience of over 350 industry peers and leaders from around the state gathered to celebrate 24 winners across categories that recognize excellence in Virginia’s restaurants, hotels, lodging establishments, Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs), attractions and more.
Each year, nominations are open to both members of the Association and non-members, and nominees are judged by a group of VRLTA members and industry professionals. The Lifetime Achievement and Legislator Awards are determined by the VRLTA staff and Board. Here are the 2025 award winners:
Attraction of the Year
The Estate at River Run
Maidens, VA
Bartender of the Year
John Devany, Sports Page
Goochland, VA
Brewery of the Year
Lark Brewing Company
Aldie, VA
Campground of the Year
Fancy Gap KOA
Fancy Gap, VA
Charlie Buser Award for
Attraction Employee of the Year
Dennis Bickmeier, Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority
Henrico, VA
Chef of the Year
David Dunlap, Midlothian Chef’s Kitchen & 1870 Restaurant
Midlothian, VA
Distillery of the Year
Vitae Spirits
Charlottesville, VA
Hospitality Hero – Business
Coastal Fermentory
Newport News, VA
Hospitality Hero – Individual
Carla Mullen, Charlottesville Albemarle CVB
Charlottesville, VA
Hotel Employee of the Year
Karima Haddaoui, Hyatt Regency Tysons Corner
Tysons, VA
Hotel Manager of the Year
Allison Knapp, Crescent Hotels - Delta Virginia Beach Waterfront
Virginia Beach, VA
Hotel of the Year
The Bee Hotel
Danville, VA
Hotelier of the Year
Kingdon Gould III, Hyatt Regency Crystal City
Arlington, VA
Jim Ricketts Award for
DMO Employee of the Year
Paige Read, Culpeper Tourism & Economic Development
Culpeper, VA
Jim Wordsworth Award for
Restaurateur of the Year
Ronald Logan, Sr., The Original Ronnie’s BBQ
Henrico, VA
Legislator of the Year
Delegate Dan Helmer
Virginia’s 10th House District
Presidents Award
Heidi Stone, Mountain Lake Lodge
Pembroke, VA
ProStart Teacher of the Year
Gary Whitecotton, Northern Neck Technical Center
Warsaw, VA
Restaurant Employee of the Year
Debbie Burnley, The Texas Inn
Lynchburg, VA
Restaurant Manager of the Year
Joe Scala, The Boar’s Head Resort
Charlottesville, VA
Restaurant of the Year
Waterman’s Surfside Grille
Virginia Beach, VA
Rising Pineapple Award for
Hospitality Student of the Year
Katie Olenick, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA
Supplier of the Year
Amtrak Virginia
Richmond, VA
Winery of the Year
Walsh Family Wine
Purcellville, VA
“This year’s Ordinary Awards was truly one for the books,” says Eric Terry, President of VRLTA. “With a record number of attendees and more interest in the program than ever before, it’s clear that the Ordinary Awards have become a centerpiece for celebrating Virginia’s hospitality and tourism community. On behalf of our Association, staff, and board, I congratulate all of this year’s winners and finalists for being exceptional examples of the best our industry has to offer.”
The event was sponsored by Visit Fairfax, Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, Virginia Tourism Corporation, Cirrus Vodka, EJ Gallo Wines, Keany Produce, Amtrak Virginia, Heartland, Sysco, Performance Food Group, Toast Tab, and the Virginia Spirits Board. Additional support provided by American Pest, Boar’s Head Resort, Ecolab, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol, Heartland, Performance Food Group, RetirePath Virginia, Retro Hospitality, Richmond Region Tourism, Shamin Hotels, SMI Hotel Group, Sysco, The Corner Pocket, Toast Tab, Virginia Spirits Board, Virginia Lottery, and Visit Virginia Beach.
For more information on the Ordinary Awards, visit www.ordinaryawards.com.
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The Virginia Restaurant Lodging and Travel Association is the unified voice of the restaurant, lodging, travel and hospitality suppliers associations. VRLTA creates value for members by promoting the legislative interests of the industry, networking, educational opportunities, and protecting free enterprise. For more information, visit www.vrlta.org or call 800-552-2225.
Why would the awards be called…Ordinary? Chinn’s Ordinary, considered “the oldest original inn in America” (Baltimore Sun), was built around 1728 in Chinn’s Crossroads, now Middleburg, Virginia. The building was uniquely situated to serve as an inn and tavern catering to travelers. Since 1937, it has operated as the Red Fox Inn & Tavern. This history of Chinn’s Ordinary speaks to all facets of VRLTA’s membership—restaurants, lodging, and travel, while the term “ordinary” is just the opposite of the hospitality and travel industry. The true goal of these awards is to honor those in an extraordinary industry, individuals and companies, that are truly Extraordinary.