Surf City USA^®
Visitor Industry Awards

The Surf City USA^® Visitor Industry Awards recognize the best of the Huntington Beach travel and tourism community. Three categories of this award will be presented at the HB Tourism Summit on June 15, 2023.

Surf City USA^® Superstar Award
Recognizing front-line staff at Huntington Beach visitor-serving businesses

Awarded to an individual who works in the Huntington Beach visitor industry and who regularly interacts with visitors/guests/customers. Front-line positions include, but are not limited to, cashiers, wait staff, drivers, housekeepers, concierge, attendants, tour guides, etc. Nominations are open to the public.

Award Winner: 
Robert Wagner
Owner, Wagner Charters


Surf City USA^® Industry Leader Award
Recognizing an individual in a management or leadership role at a visitor-serving business or an organization that positively contributes to the Huntington Beach visitor industry

Awarded to an individual in a managerial or other leadership role in the Huntington Beach visitor industry or an organization that positively contributes to the Huntington Beach visitor industry. Nominations are open to the public.

Award Winner: 
Petty Thai
Resort Operations Manager, Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach


Robert Mayer Legacy Award
Recognizing a community organization or individual who reflects Robert Mayer’s leadership principles and who consistently represents and advocates for the Huntington Beach visitor industry

Huntington Beach has been a visitor destination for over 100 years. But in 1990, Robert L. Mayer Sr., Founder and Chairman of the Robert Mayer Corporation, took Huntington Beach tourism to the next level by opening the Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel, the city’s first luxury beach resort. A little over a decade later, he opened the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa. For over thirty years, these two beachside resort properties have showcased the best of Huntington Beach hospitality to guests from around the world, inspiring other beach resorts and hotels to follow suit.

The inaugural Legacy Award will go to Robert L. Mayer, Sr. in recognition of his contributions to Huntington Beach tourism. Future awards will go to a Huntington Beach community leader or organization who best exhibits Robert Mayer’s leadership principles and who consistently represents and advocates for the Huntington Beach visitor industry. The recipient will be nominated and selected by VHB Board and staff members, though the award may not be presented every year.
 

Robert Mayer’s leadership principles: Integrity, Teamwork, Respect, Values, Compassion, Accountability, Vision, Personal responsibility, Ethics, Commitment, Courage, Congruence, Service

Judging will be conducted by a panel of Visit Huntington Beach Board of Directors and staff. Winners will be announced at the Huntington Beach Tourism Summit on June 15, 2023 at the Waterfront Beach Resort. For questions regarding nominations, please contact Nicole Llido at nicole@surfcityusa.com.

Award Winner:
Robert L. Mayer, Sr. 
The Robert Mayer Corporation