TORONTO, ON (November 14, 2025) – The Greater Toronto Hotel Association (GTHA) hosted the 12th annual Spirit Awards gala on Friday at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre with over 800 attendees. The Spirit Awards celebrate the hard work and excellence of frontline workers who power the Greater Toronto area’s hotel and hospitality sectors. Staff were honoured across 19 categories ranging from administration and security to culinary and housekeeping. Returning Master of Ceremonies Anthony Farnell of Global News presided over an enthusiastic crowd of attendees made up of hotel employees from across the region.
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“This is now my third year attending the Spirit Awards as president and CEO of the Association, and the momentum and excitement for celebrating hotel staff keeps building each year,” remarked Sara Anghel. “I am most impressed by the professionalism, care, and service quality embodied by these award recipients – they help make our region’s tourism industry second to none!”.
Ashok Baghel, Chair of the Spirit Awards Committee and General Manager at the Hyatt Regency Toronto, echoed this sentiment. “Every general manager knows that employees are the lifeblood of the hotel,” he said. “This happy occasion gives us a chance to celebrate all hotel staff and honour a few remarkable individuals who represent the best in hospitality.”
The 2025 Spirit Award Winners
- Accounting Ambassador of the Year: Natalia Kuzyk – Delta Hotels by Marriott Toronto Airport & Conference Centre – sponsored by National Payments
- Administration Ambassador of the Year: Jiwon Yoon – Delta Hotels by Marriott Toronto – sponsored by Hicks Morley
- Banquet Ambassador of the Year: Frank Richardson – Hilton Mississauga Meadowvale – sponsored by Gordon Food Service
- Bell Person of the Year: Ambrocio Ramiro – The Yorkville Royal Sonesta – sponsored by Hunter Amenities
- Concierge of the Year: Cameron Carr – Omni King Edward Hotel – sponsored by Insuranceland Inc.
- Culinary Ambassador of the Year: Dario Ferreyra – Radisson Blu Toronto Downtown – sponsored by Orkin Canada
- Engineering Ambassador of the Year: Darren Harold – Hilton Toronto Airport Hotel & Suites – sponsored by Hotel Engineering–Facility Managers Association of Toronto
- Food & Beverage Outlets Ambassador of the Year: sponsored by Smart Serve
- Cris Vila – Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites Conference Centre & Spa
- Karmen Stefanec – Park Hyatt Toronto
- Guest Services Ambassador of the Year: Josefina Palomo-Lee – Courtyard by Marriott Toronto Downtown – sponsored by Kostuch Media Ltd.
- Housekeeping Room Attendant of the Year: sponsored by Serta Simmons Bedding
- Cynthia Xu – Hilton Toronto
- Margarita Roca – Hotel Le Germain Maple Leaf Square
- Housekeeping Support Services Ambassador of the Year: sponsored by Ecolab
- Raymundo Toledo – Chelsea Hotel, Toronto
- Alganesh Mekkonen – Toronto Marriott City Centre
- Laundry Ambassador of the Year: Colin Caseley – InterContinental Toronto Centre – sponsored by Victory Laundry & Linen Rental
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Norival Da Rosa – Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel – sponsored by SelectPath
- Reservations Ambassador of the Year: Carina Cunanan – Fairmont Royal York – sponsored by Meteor Telecommunications
- Rising Star Award: Fady Saleh – Four Points & Element Toronto Airport – sponsored by First Onsite
- Security Ambassador of the Year: Johnson Jonathan – DoubleTree by Hilton Toronto Downtown – sponsored by Sheer Hospitality Solutions
- Steward of the Year: Ricardo Llamas – Delta Hotels by Marriott Toronto Mississauga – sponsored by Mediclean
- Switchboard Operator of the Year: Cinzia Celada – The Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto – sponsored by Forest Paving
- Valet/Door Person/Shuttle Driver: Brendon DiBenedetto – The Hazelton Hotel – sponsored by Eminent Valet
Sponsors
The 2025 Spirit Awards are generously supported by our valued sponsors:
- Diamond Sponsor: Visit Mississauga
- Platinum Partner: Fairmont Royal York
- Gold Partners: Encore, Smart Serve, Destination Toronto
- Silver Sponsor: Union Environmental Solutions Inc.
- Luncheon Sponsors: Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Avendra International
- Cocktail Reception Sponsor: Andrew Peller Ltd.
- Floral Sponsor: North Water
- Spirit Pin Sponsor: Hyatt
- Entertainment Sponsor: Nieuport Aviation
- MC Sponsor: TargetPark
- Bronze Sponsors: Eminent Valet, Destination Markham, P&G Professional, StageVision, BFL CANADA, Architecttura, CAMDI
The GTHA congratulates all 2025 Spirit Awards winners and nominees. For more information on the Spirit Awards, GTHA membership and future events, visit www.gtha.com.