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Awards for Key Pocono Mountains Contributors
Awardees honored at marketing meeting
November 7, 2024 – The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau (PMVB) celebrated award honorees at its Fall Marketing Committee Meeting at Camelback Resort in Tannersville. The event recognized 15 individuals for their dedication and commitment to supporting the mission of the PMVB and the region as a whole.
PHOTOS: Award Winners 2024 – Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau
Rachel Wyckoff, Marketing Director at Shawnee Mountain Ski Area, was awarded with the Gail Sterrett Marketing Award now for a 13th time recognizing a Pocono Mountains hospitality sales and marketing professional who mirrors the late PMVB marketing director Sterrett’s dedication, professionalism and passion for work, industry experience, and leadership. Wyckoff has been at the forefront of Shawnee Mountain’s marketing efforts since 2019 helping to attract skiers, snowboarders and winter enthusiasts to the Poconos each year and for off-season events as well.
Andy Muller of the Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad (RBMNRR) was awarded the second ever Chairperson’s Award in honor of the late Bob Uguccioni who was the head of the PMVB for 40 years and passed away in 2022. As the CEO of the RBMNRR, Muller has grown the railroad to service freight customers as well as develop excursion lines bringing passengers to the Pocono Mountains and Jim Thorpe from locations including Pittston, PA. Muller and the RBMNRR have also developed a new railroad station in Nesquehoning for similar use with a grand opening in August 2024.
Eider Prados of Camelback Resort was awarded Outstanding Tourism Employee of the Year for his exceptional service on the frontlines of hospitality. Prados, a Banquet Captain, has served with Camelback for seven years serving in dining, conferences and other aspects of the four-season Camelback property helping to create guests for life. This award recognizes an employee who consistently goes above and beyond to not only ensure the happiness of their visitors, but also their fellow co-workers.
Also receiving recognition, 12 individuals who were awarded with the Valued Partner Award for dedication to the PMVB and the Pocono Mountains tourism industry. They include:
- President Kenneth Long, East Stroudsburg University
- Dr. Sylvester Williams, East Stroudsburg University
- Dr. Stanley Li-Ming Chiang, East Stroudsburg University
- Dr. David Ruth, Northampton Community College
- Debra Raneri, Northampton Community College
- Dennis Virga, Monroe Career & Technical Institute
- Maria Hafler, Monroe Career & Technical Institute
- Bob Durkin, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce
- Chief Joseph Schatz, Jim Thorpe Police Department
- Barry Fisher, WFMZ-TV
- Dan Walsh, Viamedia
- Dr. Damary Bonilla-Rodriguez
The Pocono Mountains is among the top destinations in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania welcoming 30 million visitors each year. Hospitality and tourism generate $4.3 billion in revenue and support a total of 35,818 jobs, nearly one third of all jobs in the Pocono Mountains, according to studies conducted by Tourism Economics.
