Philipsburg – The voting period for the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association has officially been opened as of today, October 29th, 2013. This puts YOU in the perfect position to vote for those individuals and organizations you think should really be recognized for their outstanding performance in the Tourism and Trade Industry: May it be an excellent employee, an outstanding manager or for example, someone who has really contributed towards our island’s industry.

Voting can be done on www.shta.com. Simply click on the ‘Crystal Pineapple Awards’ under the ‘Events’ tab on the left hand side of the page and follow the instructions. A link to the voting poll has also been placed on the Crystal Pineapple Awards face book page. The polls will only be open for approximately two weeks and will close on Monday November 11th, 2013 at 5pm. Remember that your vote can make someone feel like a star that evening.

The Crystal Pineapple Award Gala is the ONLY event on the island that recognizes Hospitality & Trade personnel, organizations and associations for their contribution towards the tourism industry. Individuals who are employed in the Hospitality and Trade industry can receive awards in the categories of Accommodations, Restaurants and Trade as well as categories such as, Environmental Achievement and Outstanding Community Service.

Tickets for the event are NOW on sale at the SHTA office and can be picked up any time during office hours. Please make sure to reserve your Gala tickets right away, as there is limited seating.

The award ceremony will be held on Friday, November 22nd, 2013 at the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino. The gala evening includes a sumptuous dinner, live entertainment, a silent auction, a raffle, dancing and much more.

The SHTA, the largest business representative on the island, is dedicated to bringing quality to all aspects of life on St. Maarten by promoting sustainable economic development for its members in cooperation with the social partners and the creation of a fair marketplace. For more information, please contact the SHTA office: 542-0108, e-mail info@shta.com or visit our website www.shta.com.