South Lake Tahoe, CA/NV – The 2013 Blue Ribbon Award winners were announced on November 14 during an elegant evening of celebration. The night started off with a cocktail hour hosted in Blu Nightclub where 250 guests were greeted with complimentary Champagne and was immediately followed by a delicious three course meal in Montbleu’s convention center. More than 175 nominations were received across the eight different award categories this year and more than 90 of those nominated were in attendance at the sold out dinner and each was celebrated with a round of applause from the crowd.

The award winners will receive recognition on TahoeChamber.org and special signage for their place of business. The customer service award winners receive a special “stay-cation” package of their choosing.

Experience Award – Sponsored by Marriott Grand Residence Club –Timber Lodge
Winner: Lake Tahoe Yoga – Stand Up Paddle and Beach Yoga practices create an energizing experience while highlighting the beautiful surroundings of Lake Tahoe. The studio offers small classes with personal attention for beginners to professional yoga training for aspiring teachers.
Honorable Mention: Ciera Steak & Chophouse

Tourism Award – Sponsored by Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority
Winner: Bike the West – For the past 20 years, Bike the Wests’ “World’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride” and “Tour de Tahoe” rides have attracted over 5,000 cyclists from all over the world to experience the beauty of Lake Tahoe.
Honorable Mention: Edgewood Tahoe

Geotourism Award – Sponsored by El Dorado County
Winner: Tahoe Area Mountain Bike Association (TAMBA) – One cannot ride on TAMBA trails without experiencing the natural beauty of the Tahoe Basin, this in turn promotes the desire to conserve it. TAMBA actively encourages community involvement through Trial Build Days, helping to preserve the surrounding natural environment that mountain bike enthusiasts actively seek.
Honorable Mention: Lake of the Sky Outfitters

Entrepreneur Award – Sponsored by Getaway Reno/Tahoe
Winner: Tahoe Sports Entertainment – An innovative group that assumed the risk of starting a new business venture when taking on the City Ice Rink operation. TSE has managed to bring over 20 events to Tahoe allowing the Ice Rink to see an 18% revenue growth during their first fiscal year. Their new programming includes Tahoe Blue, Tahoe South’s first professional sports team.
Honorable Mention: The Divided Sky

Customer Service Award – Sponsored by Lake Tahoe Cruises/Zephyr Cove Resort
Winner: Luke Bronken, Lakeside Inn & Casino – Luke knows everyone by name, their kid’s names, their birthdays and special details! He never misses a chance to use that information to make everyone he encounters feel like they only person in the room. Luke often resolves problems with humor, guests walk away Luke’s newest best friend and Lakeside’s most loyal guest.
Honorable Mention: Elfie Klementi, Harrah’s & Harveys Lake Tahoe

Public Agency Service – Sponsored by Tahoe Supply Company
Winner: Leah Brown, Child Protective Services – Despite the difficult job Leah has before her, she treats the parents, foster parents, and most importantly the children she works with, with care and respect. She makes each child feel like they are important and loved despite what they may have endured
Honorable Mention: Debbie Beam, Douglas County Manager’s Office

Large Green Business – Sponsored by Heavenly & Kirkwood
Winner: Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort – Sierra has switched from paper paychecks for employees to pay cards, eliminating the use of more than 2,000 pieces of paper per month. Vertical Plus pass holders are given an extra 10,000 vertical feet as an incentive to switch to paperless billing. All light bulbs at the resort have been changed from CFL to LED, dramatically reducing their energy consumption and in 2010 the resort switched to using Biodiesel fuel for their machinery.
Honorable Mention: Zephyr Cove Resort

The Wendell Award for a Small Green Business – Sponsored by South Tahoe Refuse
Winner: Tahoe Beach & Ski Club – Tahoe Beach & Ski Recently installed Huntwood cabinets made from wood harvested from forests that are managed by responsible companies. Energy efficient bulbs, bamboo towels, lead free Moen faucet fixtures, and signs asking guests to reuse their towels all help reduce consumption.
Honorable Mention: Clean Tahoe Program

TahoeChamber would like to thank MontBleu for a wonderful evening, along with all of our generous event sponsors including Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority and the South Tahoe Alliance of Resorts. A special thank you to South Shore sponsors Wells Fargo Bank, US Bank, Tahoe Beach & Ski Club, and Blue Business Sponsors Barton Health, Nichols Consulting Engineers, and Soaring NV. And huge congratulations go out to all of our winners, past and present. We appreciate all of your hard work and dedication to the community.

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