Each year, Welcome to Memphis presents an award that is very near and dear to our hearts. The Michelle Land Award is presented annually to a nominee who provides exceptional service in exceptional circumstances.

Meddlesome Brewing Company is a Cordova-based brewery with a wide selection of distinctive beers on tap. As the co-owner of Meddlesome, Richie EsQuivel has been brewing professionally for eight years.

The hospitality and tourism industries would not be complete without the stories that make Memphis a travel destination for so many visitors. And there are no better storytellers than the numerous tour guides who work within our city’s museums, attractions, galleries and more.

As a tour guide with A Tour of Possibilities, Jackie possesses a deep knowledge and love of Memphis, as well as boundless kindness and enthusiasm.

As a bartender and server working at Huey’s for the last nine years, Will Jasper is known for his friendly, kind, and easygoing attitude.

Docent Winner, Shannon Walton Baker, Backbeat Tours: As the Lead Tour Guide at Backbeat Tours, Shannon Walton Baker is upbeat, accommodating, and knowledgeable about Memphis. In this role, she has also learned to think on her feet.

Jimmy has been a dedicated team member at the Memphis Zoo since 2008, currently working in the water quality department.

As a bartender at Loflin Yard, Brooke goes the extra mile to make guests feel welcome.

As a bartender and server at the Guest House at Graceland, Lolita Suggs is often the first person a visitor to Memphis meets when they arrive in our city.

In 2019, the 123-room Central Station Hotel opened, inviting guests to stay in the historic train station. The fully renovated and innovative hotel houses Bishop, a French-inspired restaurant, as well as Eight & Sand, a cocktail bar and lounge that is home to a Memphis-inspired collection of vinyl albums. Guests can enjoy the wide-ranging collection of music in the Listening Room, hidden behind the bar. Most nights, guests can enjoy live music at El Mertha, the hotel’s DJ booth and mixing table.

Jennifer Carrasco is just 16 and working at Incredible Pizza is her first job. She admits to some nerves, but says the environment is so much fun and her co-workers are, too! Plus, she has learned some important lessons in the six months that she has worked here.

When artist Andreanna Hood is not creating acrylic paintings, ink drawings, and other styles of art that capture her fancy, she is charming guests at Dixon Gallery and Gardens.

Harvey Grillo has only been with The Memphian for a few months as the Food & Beverage Manager, but he’s made a big impression in a very short time. In fact, one guest went so far as to call him the “guardian angel” of property!

The hospitality and tourism industry in Memphis attracts people from all over the United States and from across the globe. One Memphis landmark, the National Civil Rights Museum, brings more than 300,000 visitors annually to our city. The history of the civil rights movement, especially the events that took place in and around Memphis, continue to shape our current societal landscape.

Sie Bradley has worked in hospitality for six years. He currently serves as a concierge at the Sheraton Memphis Downtown Hotel. From helping guests with their luggage, orienting them to the hotel, and pointing them to some of the best sights in the city, Sie always goes out of his way to make sure visitors have a memorable stay when visiting Memphis.

Walking into the Memphis Zoo is a wonderful experience as guests are greeted by the sights, sounds, and yes, the smells of animals of all kinds! A smiling human face is always a cheerful sight, however, and Guest Services representative Logan Lurry is on hand to make sure visitors are engaged and feel welcome.

Bill Webb, Jr. has the perfect background for his job as tour guide for Historical Haunts: he has been a paranormal investigator since 1987!

Walking into the Memphis Zoo is a wonderful experience as guests are greeted by the sights, sounds, and yes, the smells of animals of all kinds! A smiling human face is always a cheerful sight, however, and Guest Services representative Logan Lurry is on hand to make sure visitors are engaged and feel welcome.