During this evening the Employee and Supervisor of the Year 2012 were announced.
Denise van der Ree from Telbo is the winner of Employee of the Year 2012.
Denise was nominated by a Telbo customer who pointed out her accuracy and dedication and stated: “She is a true example of how a happy and good working employee is a real asset to the company”. Other nominees were Gideon Williams from Tiara Air Aruba, Hertha Pietersz from Captain Don’s Habitat and Patricia Winkel from Tropical Travel.
The winner for Supervisor of the Year 2012 is Selsio de Palm from Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino. Selsio has been with Divi since 1988 and has developed into a reliable, hard working and skilled chef. With his skills and enthusiasm Selsio is an important motivator for his entire team and over the years Selsio has trained many chefs. Other nominees were Roan Jaspars from Kiteboarding Bonaire and Yvonne Schultheiss from Samur Sailing.
The Employee and Supervisor of the Year 2012 received a return ticket to Aruba, courtesy of Tiara Air Aruba, and a gift from Cadushy Distillery Bonaire.
This year BONHATA honored several individuals who have shown and will hopefully continue to show how much can be accomplished with perseverance, dedication and motivation. This year’s recipients are a bit different from the past years because there is one important message to learn from all the people being in the spotlight tonight, it is the people who accomplish the success of our businesses, it is the people who form what Bonaire has to offer, it is the people who make Bonaire so special and it is the people who carry out the meaning of the Caribbean wide statement: Tourism is Key, treat it with the respect it deserves.
Miriam & Martin van Bekkum were honored with a BONHATA award for doing a tremendous job as general managers expanding their business to a high level, training and educating Bonaireans who have become valuable staff in the tourism sector. Showing respect for the local culture while offering a Bonairean warm vacation has been an important objective in the business approach of this couple, who after having lived here for 15 years are unfortunately moving back to Holland. Their energy offered to KonTiki Beach Bonaire and BONHATA plus the entire tourism industry will never be forgotten, they are an example to all of us.
The second award was honored to Nicole Roomer & Martin Franken, a couple who next to successfully running a small hotel also find their social responsibility of such importance that they dedicate time and resources to help residents of Bonaire who may be in need of financial help and friendship. Together with Club Roomers’ members and friends this couple plays an important role in taking care of our people in need. Eddy Thielman and Frans de Jong from Club Roomer accepted the award on behalf of Nicole and Martin.
The third award was honored to Sara Matera. A person who, through her energy, enthusiasm and motivation helps youngsters, professionals and companies in going for only the best. Through assistance in arranging intern possibilities for the young students abroad and being a motivator for Bonaire to participate in the Taste of the Caribbean competition again the culinary aspect of our island is being further developed.
Fundraising
As every year BONHATA uses this evening for a fundraising event for a local charity. This year Fundashon Kuido Pa Bista i Oido (Foundation for the Seeing & Hearing impaired) had been selected. Many great raffle prizes were donated by the BONHATA members. Donations were made by Addo’s Bookstore, Benetton, Bonaire Gift Shop, Kiteboarding Bonaire, Littman’s Jewelers, Rum Runners, The Touch, Bonaire Guided Motorcycle Tours, Budget rent a car, Divi Dive, Divi Resorts, J.C. Herrera, L’Amuse, MCB and the main prize of the evening was a roundtrip ticket to Amsterdam, courtesy of KLM. Many guests left the party happy winning these wonderful prizes. A considerable amount was raised for the Fundashon Kuido Pa Bista i Oido and BONHATA wishes this foundation success in keeping up their good work.
Thank you
BONHATA would like to thank all the companies for their donations and Cadushy Distillery Bonaire for sponsoring the welcome cocktail. Also a big thank you to the Bonaire Culinary Team 2013 for preparing excellent canapés and Tarimar Thom for preparing a sparkling welcome cocktail. Congratulations to the award winners and employee and supervisor of the year 2012. Thank you all for your support and for making this an unforgettable evening.